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COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr. 



1001 

HOUSEHOLD 

HINTS 



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ARRANGED BY 

OTTILIE V. AMES 



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Copyright 1910 

BY 

OTTILIE V. AMES 



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DEPARTMENTS 

Home 3 

Kitchen 103 

Laundry 137 

Wardrobe 161 

Medicine 187 



HOME 



REMOVING SCREWS. 

When trying to take out an old screw in wood or 
iron don't delay either with feather or spoon to put 
kerosene on it in such a way that the oil will get down 
in and around it, for a screw can be taken out after 
the oil application, which without it, would after by 
and by still remain. 

LENGTHENING BED CLOTHES. 

So many blankets and comforters are just long 
enough to cover the top of the bed. Remedy this by 
sewing across one end of the cover a strip of any de- 
sirable material as the same width as the cover and 
about fourteen inches long. This extra piece can then 
be tucked under the mattress at the foot, leaving no 
chance for the ''tall ones" to be left out in the cold. 

TO PROTECT WINDOW DRAPERIES WHEN 
SWEEPING. 

Sew small brass rings on the corners of the curtains 
where they touch the floor. By screwing small brass 
hooks to the woodwork of the windows the curtains 
may be fastened high up from the floor on sweeping 
day. This plan is better for the young housekeepers 
to pursue than the old way of pinning up the curtains, 
as by the continual use of pins the draperies are likely 
to be torn. 

IT IS BEST TO WASH WINDOWS 

on a dull day, or at a time when the sun does not shine 
directly on them. First of all take a painter's brush 

3 



4 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

and dust the windows with it, inside and out; then 
wash the woodwork inside before touching the glass 
at all. For the window washing itself use warm water, 
adding- a tablespoon of kerosene oil to a pail of water. 
Dry with a soft cloth that leaves no lint and polish 
carefully with tissue paper or old newspapers. 

WHITEWASH DRIPPING FROM A BRUSH 

may be prevented from soiling the cellar floor in this 
simple way. After cutting a small hole in a coarse 
sponge, wet the sponge, wring it quite dry, and slip it 
on the handle of the whitewash brush as close to the 
brush itself as it will go. When the sponge seems full 
of the drippings, take it oflf the handle, rinse it in the 
clear water, put it back, and go on with the work. 

WOODEN BOXES TO STAND UPON IN 
THE CLOSETS. 

When one needs to reach the high shelves will be 
found a great addition to the house and a saving to the 
chairs. Small wooden boxes may be bought at a 
grocery store. They should be stained to match the 
woodwork and fitted with casters. A hinged cover 
makes the box a useful receptable for shoes. 

BY USING WOODEN PLATES FOR THE CAMP 
OR SUMMER COTTAGE 

you may avoid much of the burden of dishwashing. 
Such plates may be bought wholesale and add but little 
weight to the baggage. For general use or for picnics, 
wooden plates and paper napkins save much time. 
After being used they may be burned. 

WALL PAPER CLEANER. 

One quart of flour, one pint of water, one heaping 
tbsp. of salt, one of baking soda, three of ammonia, 
and one of borax. Mix all together and steam in tin 
basin for one-half hour. When done cut in four pieces 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 5 

and work with the hands for three to five minutes, 
when it will be ready for use. 

WASH FOR WALLS. 

To paper an old wall or one that has been white- 
washed, brush it all over first with a wash of Portland 
cement about like thin cream. Steam will not affect it. 

WHITEWASHING WALLS. 

When whitewashing, mix lime with skim milk and 
it will not crumble off. If you wish it colored, add 
any paint powder. 

MAKE A LIST OF THE WINTER CLOTHES 

before they are put away for the summer, and upon 
the top of each trunk or box in which they are stored 
tack a stout card telling what has been packed therein. 
These contents labels may save you many a time 
from unnecessarily disturbing some particular lot of 
clothing. 

ABOUT CLEANING WOODWORK. 

Use kerosene instead of water on black woodwork. 
It will be a dead black when dry. For white wood- 
work use gasoline. 

TO PROTECT WALL PAPER WHEN CLEAN- 
ING PAINT 

buy a sheet of tin, one foot square, and ask the tin- 
smith to roll over one edge to form a handle; then 
hold the tin against the wall with the lower edge on 
top of the baseboard, while you scrub the baseboard. 
In this way water and soap will be prevented from 
touching the paper. 

THE ANNOYANCE OF A RATTLING WINDOW 

SHADE 

may be overcome as follows: Drive a small brass- 
headed nail in the window ledge ; fasten a small brass 



6 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

ring to the end of the shade; draw the shade down 
tight and slip the ring over the nail. Unless the wind 
is very strong this arrangement will admit the air 
but exclude the light, and put an end to a small an- 
noyance which is sometimes hard on the nerves. 

HOW TO RAISE WINDOWS. 

Windows this time of the year are swollen and con- 
stantly stick. To remedy this quickly and without 
effort, pull window ropes to full length and release 
quickly. The weight dropping back into place starts 
the window, which can be raised without difficulty. 

DULL FINISHED WOODWORK 

Woodwork that has been finished in dull black or 
other dark dull colors can be cleaned to look like new 
finish by simply washing with cold black coffee and 
rubbing with a dry cloth. Every finger mark is re- 
moved and the woodwork appears as though newly 
finished. 

TO CLEAN WALLPAPER. 

Sides and ceilings of smoke, dust and cobwebs take a 
square of heavy nap cotton flannel sew in shape of bag 
to fit broom, nap side out. Use a darning needle and 
cord, and take long stitches at end of bag, to draw up 
and tie snugly around the handle of the broom. A 
window brush having a long handle can be used. After 
the cleaner looks black shake out dust as often as 
needed. Can be used effectively after washing. 

OIL WALNUT FINISH. 

When oiled walnut furniture begins to grow dingy 
it can be made to look as fresh as new by reoiling. 
Linseed or even olive oil may be used, but pure, good 
kerosene oil is the best. Rub it well in with a soft 
woolen cloth and polish with a clean dry flannel. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 7 

WASH UP, NOT DOWN. 

When washing painted walls and varnished wood- 
work most people begin at the top and wash down, the 
water running down over the dirt causing streaks to 
appear, which are hard to rub out. You can avoid 
this by starting at the bottom and washing up. A 
good cleanser for this purpose is castile soap, about a 
half pound to one and a half gallons water. Boil until 
dissolved. 

HAVE WHITING AT HAND. 

Ask your druggist for 5 cents worth of whiting. 
This is the principal ingredient of all silver polishes 
and is excellent for bathroom fixtures. 

CLEANING WINDOWS 

When going away for several weeks in the summer, 
take out your screens and stack them up in the house. 
It is the rain passing through dusty screens which 
makes windows so dirty in the summer. If the screens 
are taken out the windows look much cleaner to pass- 
ers-by, and as the windows are down no flies can get 
in anyway. 

TO CLEAN SMOKED WALLS. 

To clean smoked walls or woodwork, smoky or 
greasy from cooking on a gas range, gasoline or oil 
stove: To one pail of warm water add one quarter 
cup turpentine. Use sponge or soft rag, and dirt will 
dissappear. 

WALL PAPER HELP. 

It is sometimes necessary to patch the wall paper 
where it has become defaced or torn, and the new 
paper of the same pattern is too bright to use. Try 
hanging the new paper in bright sunshine until the 
colors are faded or dulled and it can be applied to the 
damaged paper on the walls and it will match per- 
fectly. 



8 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

A WINDOW SCREEN TO BE USED AT NIGHT 

at an open window, made in the following way: Use 
a piece of heavy muslin, the length to be as long as the 
window is wide. Hem the ends and sew at each cor- 
ner a brass ring. Put a ring also in the middle of the 
lower edge. On the window frame, at each side and 
in the middle of the window sill, put a brass-headed 
nail for the rings on the muslin screen to slip over. 
Arrange the nails and rings so that the muslin will fit 
smoothly and be held taut. When the window is 
opened for the night it takes only a few minutes to 
adjust this screen. Plenty of air will come in, but 
much dampness may be kept out. 

IN WINDOW WASHING. 

Add a little kerosene to a basin of soft water to wash 
your windows and mirrows; it will clean them 
brighter and much faster than anything you can use. 

WHEN WORK BECOMES MONOTONOUS 

try another room, when that is possible, and see what 
a pleasant effect a change of scene may produce. In 
most cases the work will seem to be easier. When 
darning a lot of stockings or hemming many yards of 
material by hand try this plan. 

WHEN GOING AWAY PACK WITH YOUR 
CLOTHES 

small pieces of cloth like each dress or shirtwaist you 
are going to take ; for, if there should be need to do any 
mending, these pieces will be valuable. 

HOME-MADE VINEGAR. 

Into an earthern jar put the sound cores and par- 
ings of apples, cover with cold water, add a cup of 
molasses to every gallon of water, add more parings 
occasionally, cover the jar with cheese cloth. In two 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 9 

or three weeks you will have excellent vinegar. When 
ready to use strain through the cheese cloth and bottle. 

TO VENTILATE A ROOM HAVING DOUBLE 
WINDOWS 

bore a number of holes in the lower edge of the outer 
window frame and fit the holes with corkstoppers. 
The inner window may then be raised and the corks 
taken out to admit the fresh air. 

VASELINE ON CORKS. 

Mucilage corks can be rubbed with a little vaseline 
on the sides, which will prevent them from sticking 
in the neck of the bottle. 

BOX TO HOLD VEGETABLES 

will be found useful in a city apartment, especially if 
made to fit a window. It may, in that case, be cov- 
ered neatly and utilized for a seat. Have the cover 
hinged so it will be easy to open. The box should be 
divided by partitions, the largest space for potatoes, 
another bin for apples, and so on. Where space is at 
such a premium that provisions have to be bought in 
small quantities this plan will add much to the com- 
fort and convenience of the kitchen. 

TO PREVENT WINDOWS SCREENS FROM 
RUSTING 

when they are put away for the winter, brush them 
thoroughly and wipe them on both sides with a soft 
cloth dipped in any good oil ; or, after cleaning the 
screens, apply some dark house paint with an ordinary 
paint brush, taking only a little paint at a time, and 
spreading it right and left, up and down, on both 
sides of the screen. Painting the wire will preserve 
the screens for a long time. If they are oiled the work 
should be done each autumn before they are put way. 



10 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

RIBS OF AN OLD UMBRELLA 

will support such plants as gladioli and dahlias just as 
well as stakes. They are light, and almost invisible 
when in use. 

UMBRELLA CURTAINS. 

Do not throw away old silk umbrellas. When badly 
torn or worn cut the silk from the ribs. Cut into thin 
strips about one-half inch wide. Sew like carpet 
rags and have them woven into a silk curtain or por- 
tieres. They may also be used for couch covers and 
baby afghans. Any colored silk umbrella may be used. 

USES FOR AN OLD SHEET. 

1. — Old twill sheets by reason of their softness make 
fine polishing cloths, floor and dish cloths, strong 
dusters and good under covers for ironing boards. 

2. — Old cotton sheets make roomy bags for inclos- 
ing the winter suits and coats in the wardrobe. One 
large sheet will make two cases. 

3. — Can be made for slips for pillows over the tick- 
ing, to cover mattresses, laundry bags, and large 
aprons to wear when making beds. 

4. — On sweeping days old sheets are invaluable in 
covering furniture. Smaller pieces can be made into 
loose covers to inclose dainty cushions. 

5. — Soft old pieces may be cut to measure and de- 
voted to baby's wear. Long strips may be rolled up 
and used when bandages are needed. A wide strip will 
make outer cover for ironing board. 

6. — Pretty bits of decorative work may be evolved 
that have bits of old linen sheets for foundation. 

MAKE TAGS YOU CAN RECOGNIZE FAR 
AWAY 

and put on each end of every piece of baggage you in- 
tend to have checked. For example, if you use white 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 11 

linen tags, paste upon each side a circular or triangular 
piece of bright-red paper. Such tags help wonderfully 
in finding your baggage when it is dumped on the 
platform with hundreds of other pieces. Sometimes it 
is possible to identify your baggage in a twinkling of 
the eye. Besides, by watching your distinguishing 
marks you may assure yourself that every trunk be- 
longing to your party has really been loaded upon or 
unloaded from the train or steamer in which you are 
to be or have been a passenger. 

TRUNK COVERS FOR THOSE LIVING IN 
HOTELS 

may be made of strong cretonne cut to fit the trunk. 
A safety device in case of fire is to turn these same 
covers into bags at a moment's notice. The contents 
of the trunk may be emptied into these bags in a 
twinkling and either thrown out of a window or car- 
ried down-stairs. With this end in view make a 
two inch hem in the bottom of the covers and run 
tape through the hems, having it ready to draw up if 
the covers are ever needed as bags in case of emer- 
gency. 

A TABLE FOR AN INVALID'S TRAY 

may be easily improvised from a light cutting table. 
Stand the table beside the bed and saw off the legs 
on one side even with the bed-spread then move the 
table across the bed until the uncut legs stand on the 
floor close to the side of the bed. The shortened table 
legs will rest on the spread, making the table firm 
and a tray may be placed on the table. Another sug- 
gestion is to buy a still smaller table (one that may be 
found in toy shops, a doll's table about twenty inches 
or more in length) and saw off a part of all the legs 
so that they will only be about eight inches high. Such 
a little table may be placed over the covered legs of a 



12 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

sick person sitting in bed, and there will be no weight 
resting upon or tiring him. A third and more econom- 
ical idea is to make a platform for holding a tray in 
bed by removing the long sides of a wooden box, such 
as a soap-box, being careful to draw ail the nails, and 
leave the short sides for the supports, turning the 
box bottom up. Such a table will rest firmly over the 
sick person's legs. It may be painted or stained. 

A GOOD SHAMPOO. 

Take one bar of cocoanut soap. Shave into a gallon 
of rain water. Put on the stove until it comes to a 
boil ; then turn the gas low and let simmer fifteen 
minutes. Before taking off the stove add then cents' 
worth of cream of tartar. 

TO CLEAN TEETH. 

In cleaning teeth do not brush across the teeth, but 
up and downwards. Salt would keep them as white as 
you would wish them. 

TESTING EGGS. 

Have pan of water sufficient to cover the eggs ; then 
put them into it. Those sinking to the bottom are 
strickly fresh, while those standing on end are not 
fresh. 

VIRTUES OF TURPENTINE 

After a housekeeper fully realizes the worth of tur- 
pentine in the household, she is never willing to be 
without a supply of it. 

1 — It gives quick relief to burns. 

2 — It is an excellent application for corns. 

3 — It is good for rheumatism and for sore-throats. 

4 — It is the quickest remedy for convulsions or fits 
by applying to the back of the neck. 

5 — It is a sure preventive against moths; by just 
dropping a trifle in the bottom of drawers, chests and 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 13 

wardrobes, it will render the garments secure from 
injury during the summer. 

6 — It will keep ants and bugs from closets and 
storerooms by putting a few drops in the corners and 
shelves. It is sure destruction to bed-bugs and will 
effectually drive them away from their haunts, if thor- 
oughly applied to all the joints of the bedstead in 
the spring cleaning time, and injures neither furniture 
nor clothing. 

7 — A little in suds washing day lightens laundry 
labor. 

WHY NOT A TRASH-CHUTE WHEN 
BUILDING? 

Many houses have a clothes-chute built in, with 
openings for dropping in the soiled clothes, the chute 
ending in the laundry. A rubbish chute could be built 
the same way, its object being to convey the contents 
of waste-paper-baskets, etc., to the cellar, or to out- 
doors, to the barrel or box receiving the waste, which 
could be emptied when filled. 

A FEW TOOLS KEPT IN A CONVENIENT 
PLACE 

will enable a housekeeper to do many things about the 
house which otherwise would have to wait until the 
handy man could attend them. A hammer, some as- 
sorted nails, a screw-driver, an awl and a pair of pliers 
will prove useful. The awl will serve to make a small 
hole in which to start driving a nail, and the pliers will 
help in many ways. 

THREADING MANY NEEDLES 

on one spool will be a great help to an old lady with 
failing eyesight. Thread a whole package on one 
spool of cotton, placing a knot on the thread after the 
last one has been put on. When needles and thread 
are wanted it is only necessary to take one needle, 



14 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

pushing the others back, and after cutting the length 
of thread wanted, tying another knot to keep the 
others from falling off. When the needleful of thread 
has been used, another needle may be taken from the 
spool and so on. When all have been used, some one 
threads the lot again. This is a better plan than 
threading needles and placing them in a pincushion, as 
there are no threads to get tangled. 

BRASS-HEADED TACKS ALONG THE 
SEWING-TABLE 

carefully measured off to show one-quarter, one-half, 
three-quarters and one-yard spaces, as on a dry-goods 
counter, will be found of great convenience. 

A FEW TOYS FOR LITTLE VISITORS TO 
PLAY WITH 

should be kept in the household where there are no 
children, yet where children are likely to be taken by 
their mothers when calling. Even a doll or a horse will 
amuse the little girl or boy for a long time and allow 
the older people to enjoy themselves. 

MAKE EVERY-DAY TABLE-CLOTHS 
SMALLER 

and they will be easier to wash and iron, as well as less 
expensive to purchase. If they hang over the edge 
of the table, two or three inches all around they will 
look well, especially if the table is in Mission style, or 
has heavy legs. 

WHEN DRAWING THREADS FROM LINEN 
RUB WHITE SOAP ON THE CLOTH 

and the work will be much more easily accomplished. 
When making eyelet embroidery if a piece of white 
soap is held under the material and the stiletto is al- 
lowed to pass into it, a much better eyelet can be made, 
as the soap gives a light stiffness to the cloth. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 15 

CLEANING STRAW HATS. 

Juice of one lemon, the same quantity of water, 
sulpher enough to make a thin paste. Take band off 
around hat. Apply paste over the outside and under- 
side of hat, using a small brush. Put hat outdoors in 
the sun until thoroughly dry. Then use a clean stiff 
brush to brush off all particles of sulphur which may 
adhere to the hat. 

TOUGHEN SHOES. 

Apply a coat of gum copal varnish ; let dry and give 
two more coats ; this will double the wearing power of 
sole leather; give an occasional coat as it seems to 
wear. For heavy boots two or three coats of gas tar 
will render them almost impervious to damp, besides 
toughing and hardening the leather. 

PROTECT CHILDREN'S STOCKINGS. 

When the little children are playing on the floor in 
winter it is a good plan to cut the whole parts from old 
stockings, as between the ankle and knee, and slip 
these ''caps" over the regular stockings. This will 
prevent the knees of good stockings from wearing out 
so easily. 

A RUBBER SPONGE IN THE BATH ROOM 

will be found useful in cleaning the porcelain tub and 
the basin. It is easy to use, easy to dry, and is not an 
unsightly object to keep conveniently at hand. 

A GOOD WAY TO MARK SHEETS OF DIF- 
FERENT SIZES 

that are in constant use is to put on the left hand cor- 
ner of the broad hem, Roman numerals, using in- 
delible ink or marking cotton. The large size sheets 
may be marked I, the three-fourths size II, and the 
single sheets III. By this method one can tell at a 
glance which sheet to take. 



16 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

OLD SHEETS. 

Old cotton sheets make good bags for inclosing 
gowns and coats in the wardrobe, one large sheet being 
enough for two bags. An old sheet will cut up into 
several slips for use on the pillows over the ticking. 
Another plan is to take the best parts for making 
sheets for cots and cribs, where there are children, 
saving the very thin parts for dusters. 

In the sick room there is no end to the possibilities 
of an old sheet. One-half laid across the bed under 
the patient will serve as a draw sheet. 

If the sides are sewed together and the sheets cut 
through the center, it will be given a new lease of life. 
Twilled sheets, by reason of their softness and substan- 
tial weave, make excellent polishing cloths and good 
undercovers for ironing boards. 

A large apron for covering the skirt to be used for 
bedmaking can be made from half a discarded sheet. 

SCRATCHES ON POLISHED FURNITURE 

can be almost obliterated by rubbing vigorously with 
linseed oil. 

REMOVE SCARS ON FURNITURE. 

First wet the scar in warm water, then soak a piece 
of heavy brown paper in warm water, double it four 
times, lay over the dent, and press with a hot iron, 
leaving the iron on until the moisture is absorbed. 
Repeat the process until the dent is entirely removed. 

DESTROY STUMPS. 

In the fall bore a hole in the center of the stump, 
about eighteen inches deep and one and a half inches 
cross. Put in about two-oz. salt-peter and fill the hole 
with water ; plug up tight. In the spring take out the 
plug and pour in eight oz. or so of petroleum and 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 17 

ignite, and the stump will smoulder, but not blaze, 
to the extremities of the roots, leaving but ashes. 

CARE OF STOVE. 

To extinguish a chimney fire take a handful of zinc, 
throw into the fire for same to melt, which will stop 
blaze immediately. The same process will be found 
a great flue cleaner to a sooty chimney. In case of an 
overheated stove, throw into blaze a handful of salt, 
which will check your fire at once. 

USE OLD STOCKINGS. 

To protect little girl's white underwear take your 
old stocking legs, cut off the length from the child's 
waist to the knee, then slit each one down from the 
top about half way, cut a piece about three inches 
square out of what you have left from the stocking, 
and fit the opposite corners of this into the end of the 
slit in each leg; continue the seam to the top of the 
stocking and you will have a little pair of pants to 
slip over the white ones and save much washing. Hem 
the bottom of the legs and run elastic in the top or 
fasten up the front with a large safety pin. The square 
piece makes them much stronger and if too large at the 
top slant the seam in. 

STENCIL PAINTING. 

Stencil painting offers a variety of ways in which 
to beautify a home with little labor or expense. A 
little pin money also may be made by doing this work 
for neighbors and friends. Transfer the designs to 
drawing paper. Then cut out the design with a sharp 
knife, being careful to leave connecting lines. Thin 
tube paint with a medium composed of: One-half pint 
turpentine, twenty drops lemon essence, twenty drops 
vinegar, and a half a tsp. sugar of lead. This sets the 
color and causes paint to dry quickly. Sofa pillows, 



18 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

laundry bags, table cover, pillow shams, and window 
curtains are handsome painted with stencils. To 
carry out color scheme in bed rooms get seaside bunt- 
ing for curtains, paint with the design to harmonize 
with paper or frescoing. Paint pillow shams and 
dresserscarf to match. Select a design that is not too 
compact. 

SPARROW HINT. 

To keep sparrows from roosting under a porch take 
an old paint brush and some tar and late in the after- 
noon paint the top of the pillars and the birds will not 
come back. 

TO CLEAN SCREENS. 

Scrub with gasoline and soft scrubbing brush, then 
apply varnish. Mend holes with pieces of old screen; 
cut a piece larger than the hole, unravel all around the 
edges and weave in instead of sewing the patch on. 

TO WHITEN STONES 

wash the surface with clean water and let it dry ; then 
rub it lightly over with a flannel dipped in a mixture 
of the following materials ; boil two cakes of pipe clay, 
two tbsp. of carbonate of lime, one-half pint of size, 
one-half pint of stone blue water, in two quarts of 
water. When the stones are dry, after this mixture has 
been applied, rub them with a dry flannel till they look 
well. 

A SWEEPING CAP 
made of a veil is more becoming than the ordinary 
sweeping cap or a duster tied over the hair and is much 
less conspicuous. If of the same color as the hair, may 
be hardly noticeable. 

STORM DOOR. 

Buy enough house tar paper to cover a screen door, 
tack over screen and you will have a cheap as well as 
good protection from the wind and storm. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 19 

TO PLANT SEEDS, 

Take egg shells broken in half, fill with dirt, put one 
seed in each, and place all in box of dirt until large 
enough to transplant. Remove plant with shell to 
its permanent location, crushing the shell, without 
disturbing the earth about plant, as you do so and 
your plant will not sufifer by the removal. 

SEWING BASKET. 

An old fruit basket with a convenient handle to be 
carried around makes an admirable sewing basket. Fit 
it up with a pin cushion in one corner for needles and 
pins, a small bag in the opposite corner for buttons, 
etc. In corner No. 3 place another bag for tape meas- 
ure, tapes and yarns; corner No. 4 a place for 
scissors. The bottom of the basket is free for spools 
of various colors and sizes which can be seen at a 
glance and the owner is ready for any kind of mend- 
ing or darning. 

WHEN TOO MUCH SALT HAS BEEN USED. 

When you have accidently used too much salt, the 
effect may be counteracted by adding a tablespoon of 
vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar. 

EASY WAY TO CLEAN SILVERWARE. 

Try the following method : Pour into a tin dishpan 
one and one-half gallons of boiling water, add four 
heaping tablespoons of soap powder, and washing soda 
twice the size of an tgg ; let it boil ; then lay your silver 
in a square cloth retaining hold of the corners, dip into 
solution, covering all parts of the silver with the same ; 
hold it there from two to five minutes, then remove 
and wash in soapy water; wipe dry. 

SAVE SALT BAGS. 

They will make useful poultices. If dried beans are 
kept in them they will not get weevil. By cutting a 



20 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

thumb hole on one side of the bag it can be made into 
a convenient glove for polishing the stove. 

SHELLS CLEAN CRUETS. 

Shake crushed egg shells and a little water in a vine- 
gar cruet vigorously and it will remove that cloudy 
look which the bottle often has. 

TO CLEAN SILVER AND JEWELRY. 

To clean silver on dressing table, jewelry or any 
kind of silver or gold, take one-half cupful of common 
baking soda. Put in a saucer and have a small hand 
brush and pan of water and soap. Immerse brush in 
water; then in soda, and scrub in the usual way until 
perfectly clean. Wash in clear water, dry on towel 
and polish with a piece of chamois skin. This process 
will not scratch the finest silver or gold or any stones 
in jewelry. 

TO STAIN STAIRS THAT ARE IN USE 

stain every other step the first day, requiring all mem- 
bers of the family to go up stairs two steps at a time, 
skipping the varnished stair. The next day stain the 
steps that were passed over, and use the dry ones. 
A block placed on each step that may be used will be 
an effective reminder. 

WHEN SWEEPING. 
When sweeping or dusting put a little cold cream in 
your nostrils, keep mouth shut and breathe througn 
your nose. When through wash nostrils with warm 
water. You will wash out all the dust and germs that 
you would have swallowed. 

SIZING FOR FLIMSY RUGS. 

A sizing for flimsy rugs is made of thickest flour 
starch and glue. It is rubbed into the back of a rug, 
which should be nailed flat to the floor and allowed to 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 21 

remain until the starch is perfectly dry. Do not use 
so much starch that it will go through the rug. When 
dry, press the entire surface with hot irons. Glue can 
be used but it should be used sparingly. 

TO CLEAN SEWING MACHINE. 

Before oiling sewing machines clean all parts thor- 
oughly with kerosene. Wipe dry, then oil with good 
machine oil, and the machine will run like new. 

SPONGE IN A PORCELAIN UMBRELLA 
STAND 
will keep the umbrellas from striking the bottom of 
a jar which is often broken in this way, and will also 
absorb the rain water from a wet umbrella. A car- 
riage sponge will fit in the bottom and is not expen- 
sive. 

A COLORED RIBBON TIED TO SCISSORS 

will save many minutes otherwise spent in looking for 
them, especially if they are used by children, who for- 
get where they have left them. A bit of ribbon is al- 
most sure to show when scissors have hidden under 
sewing, papers, etc. 

A GOOD SOLUTION FOR SOAP BUBBLES 

may be made as follows : To one quart of warm water 
add enough soap to make suds; then add one tbsp. of 
glycerine. Mothers will find that soap bubbles made in 
this way will last longer, and will provide great fun 
for the children on stormy days. 

TO REMOVE SPOTS FROM WOOD. 

To remove white spots from polished wood make 
a soft paste of salad oil and salt. Apply with soft cloth 
and rub briskly. White spots of years standing can 
be so removed and if the finish is not injured no trace 
of spot is left, the white stain is out in any case. 



22 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TAKE STAINS FROM BOTTLES. 

Make a good suds of naphtha and soft water. Let it 
stand in the vessel fifteen or twenty minutes ; all stains 
will be removed. 

STAINS ON HARDWOOD FLOOR. 

The dark streaks on hardwood floors caused by 
moving beds every morning can be easily removed by 
rubbing with a soapy cloth dipped in kerosene. 

TO TIGHTEN SHADES. 

Pull the shades down full length ; remove from 
brackets and roll the shade up; then replace in brack- 
ets, and you will find that same works perfectly, with- 
out touching the spring. 

TO MARK SCALLOPS 

place your thimble or a spool just outside the circle 
line and mark around it with a pencil. In this way any 
sized scallop can be made. 

IF THE SUN 

shines directly in the window a wet towel hung over 
the sash will lower the temperature of the room several 
degrees. 

Climbing nasturtiums may be planted in sunny win- 
dows. Three or four plants will suffice. They may 
run over poultry wire or strings, and will climb five 
or six feet. A brick may be removed from the walk 
under the window to plant the seeds or a large flower 
pot used. 

On warm days the sewing machine may be moved 
to the back or side porch or even out under a tree 
and make a whole day of sewing delightful. 

For a cool floor covering an old Brussels rug worn 
and faded may be thoroughly cleaned, turned upside 
down, and given two coats of floor stain, with varnish 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 23 

added. This also is a good way to treat old strips of 
Brussels carpet for porch use. 

Bedrooms left with bare floors for the summer are 
cooler and more easily cleaned. 

A SCRAP BOOK FOR FAMILY LETTERS 

was made by one woman who wished to save letters of 
each member of the family. She was fortunate enough 
to begin her book with a letter from her grandmother, 
written when letters had no envelopes and were sealed 
with wafers. Then came letters from her mother writ- 
ten at interesting times. Finally came children's let- 
ters — ^often their first ones. The scrap book is really 
a family history and will be prized by a woman's 
descendants. It is much better to save a few letters in 
this way, and destroy the rest, than to put away all 
that come and then perhaps never look at them again. 

A TRAY CLOTH FOR A CHILD 

may be made in this way : Fold a table-napkin (if pos- 
sible, matching the table-cloth) once through the cen- 
ter, so that it shall be oblong in shape but two inches 
shorter and one inch narrower. Lay the piece of oil- 
cloth between the folds of the napkin and you will 
have a reversible and very practical tray cloth. As 
spots cannot penetrate the oil-cloth, one side of the 
tray cloth will be fresh and ready for use when the 
first side gets soiled. 

FOR MARKING THE TUFTING OF 
COMFORTERS. 

The following plan is a good one : Get cheap un- 
bleached cotton cloth, and make a square as large as 
the comforter or 'Tuff" is to be ; then pin this 
smoothly to the floor and mark it in squares or dia- 
monds with pencil or colored chalk. Take it up, and 
cut out a piece about the size of a nickel where the 
lines cros^. Do this by folding each one and do il; 



24 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

carefully. Now put your pretty cheese-cloth or silk- 
olene on a frame, as usual and after putting the marker 
over it, and pinning it carefully, tie through the holes. 
If the material is light it is kept clean, as the marker 
will roll up as the puff is rolled. The marker will last 
for years when once made. 

USING A SHOE-HORN TO PUT ON 
CHILDREN'S RUBBERS 

will be found an easy way to accomplish what is often 
a difficult task. The mother's fingers and temper will 
be less tried. 

TACKS. 
Keep tacks in bottles. It saves opening many boxes 
to find a particular kind. 

THREAD WILL NOT BECOME KNOTTED 

if the newly-cut end is put through the needle instead 
of the end that is already broken. 

SCHOOL DAY HELPS. 

Mark umbrellas by writing name on the muslin with 
ink and sewing to inside of top with black thread; 
overshoes and rubbers by writing name on lining, and 
handkerchiefs by writing name across the center with 
ink. Furnish children with a black cloth pen-wiper 
and a clean cloth to use when painting. Line the 
sleeves of girls' dresses underneath to elbow, as they 
soon wear through on the desks and thus can be 
mended easily. Put hangers on winter coats. Mark 
mittens by sewing name written in ink across on mus- 
lin to inside wrist. Dress children neatly, and never 
^llow them to go with holes in their stockings. Teach 
them to brush their teeth and hair, keep their hands 
and faces clean, and give them a bottle of shoe polish 
to use when their shoes grow shabby. They feel and 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 25 

work better and win the appreciation of the teacher 
when they look well. 

RECOLORING DIFFERENT ARTICLES. 

When a woman discovers that some favorite bit 
of finery has faded — perhaps just a trifle, but still 
enough to make it unfit for further use, or when she 
finds the trimming she had planned to use for a gar- 
ment or hat is not the proper shade — life for the time 
being looks gray and gloomy. Even if she were an 
expert at dyeing, to restore the goods to its pristine 
beauty or tint the trimming to harmonize with the 
other materials to be used, by the oldfashioned methods 
would be out of the question. A delicacy of treat- 
ment is required for dainty lingerie that is impossible 
by the old processes. Few women realize the tinting 
value that lies in the little tube of oil paint. By its 
use, combined with gasoline, the art of tinting becomes 
so easy that the merest tyro can achieve the most per- 
fect results. In these days, when the color scheme of 
a gown is considered the most important part of its 
building, no modiste or home dressmaker can afford 
to be without the equipment necessary for tinting and 
toning. A complete outfit, at the highest estimate, 
ought not to cost more than two dollars. The dishes 
and utensils necessary for use in tinting are such as 
will be found in any home, and need not be provided 
especially for the purpose. These consist of a vessel 
large enough to hold the amount of dye that will be re- 
quired to cover completely the goods to be tinted, a cup 
for mixing each separately, a teaspoon for rubbing the 
pigment smooth, and a large spoon or paddle to be 
used in stirring the dye before putting the goods into 
it, and for handling the goods while it is in the solu- 
tion. A couple of clothes-pins with stout springs will 
come handy for removing the goods from the dye and 
shaking it out before hanging it up to dry and air. 



26 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

Small dishes will be needed for mixing the paints 
when a variety of colors are to be combined in one de- 
sign, and also a cloth covered board upon which the 
design to be executed can be pinned into place. For 
this purpose and for use in tinting leaves, flowers, and 
dots in laces, ribbons, or other materials where local 
coloring is desired, two red sable brushes, one No. 5 
and one No. 10 will be required. About twelve tubes 
of any reliable brand of oil colors should form a part 
of the equipment. If a large variety of colors are on 
hand, greater benefit will be derived from this sort of 
work. The use of the process is so varied and its 
necessity frequently arises so suddenly that it is poor 
economy to be compelled to get along without a tube 
of paint, and perhaps ruin the garment for lack of the 
proper shade. 

The following will be found sufficient for most pur- 
poses : 

1 bottle poppy oil. 1 tube Vand3^ke brown. 

1 tube burnt sienna. 1 tube vermilion. 

1 tube mauve. 1 tube rose madder. 

1 tube Prussian blue. 1 tube cadmium. 

1 tube chrome yellow. 1 tube asphaltum. 

1 tube chrome green. 1 tube black lead. 

1 tube Naples yellow. 1 tube white lead. 

It must be borne in mind that tinting does not mean 
coloring or dyeing. If a dark shade is desired it is the 
wisest plan to send the material to the dye house, as 
the oil colors are too heavy to give really satisfactory 
results along that line. The main use in tube paints 
lies in their value for toning a shade to match some 
other tint. For instance, if a gray to be used for a 
drop skirt is a trifle different in tint from the goods 
with which it is to be combined, it may be toned 
darker by using black paint, or lighter by using white 
to match the other material. Laces may be tinted for 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 27 

trimming purposes, as may also ribbons, silks and 
other fabrics. There is almost no limit to the possi- 
bilities of the tube paint dye pot when a quick-witted 
woman is at work with it. 

How to apply the tints : 

All the expensive colors are strong and only a little 
of them will be required for tinting. It is impossible 
to give explicit formulae as to the quantities of the 
paint to be used for producing certain shades. The 
dye must each time be mixed to suit the occasion. 
However, from the general tints given anyone ought 
to be able to do splendid work. 

The pigments should be rubbed smooth with a few 
drops of poppy oil before being put into the gasoline. 
Each shade must be mixed separately and added one 
at a time to the gasoline. 

TINTING DIFFERENT ARTICLES. 

If buttons or buckles are to be tinted, a little asphal- 
tum will make the colors stick to the metal or por- 
celain. 

After the pigments have been rubbed smooth in a 
small dish, add them to the gasoline in the large vessel, 
using enough gasoline to cover the fabric completely. 
Stir thoroughly so that the paint will be perfectly dis- 
solved. Test the dye with a bit of cloth before putting 
in the material. It may be necessary to add a little 
more pigment to deepen the shade or to weaken it by 
using a little more white lead. Patience will produce 
the exact shade desired. 

A little practice will bring perfection in this portion 
of the operation. 

A beautiful rich cream shade may be produced by 
adding white to Naples yellow. 

Just a little burnt sienna added to the Naples yel- 
low and white will give an ecru tint. 

Mauve should be used for purple shades, adding red 



28 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

or rose madder if a warm tone is desired, and white if 
a lighter, colder shade is used. Blue added to mauve 
will make a royal purple, while white will give a true 
violet tone. Mauve combined with black produces 
pansy black. 

Experiment to get the desired shade. 

Use the Prussian blue for producing all blue shades. 
A little white mixed with it gives a dainty baby blue. 
Combined with a little yellow pigment, it results in a 
turquoise blue. Vermilion should be used for bright 
reds. 

Cadmium, a bright yellow, is useful for light touches, 
for centers of forget-me-nots, and as a base for burnt 
orange, which is produced by adding a little burnt 
sienna. 

Green may be darkened with either black and blue, 
or either of these colors used alone. The black will be 
found useful when moss is to be toned to hunter's 
green, while white and black will give a sage green 
tint to the green material dipped into the dye. 

Where only local coloring is desired, the goods 
should be pinned to the cloth-covered board and the 
colors applied with the brushes. Laces and brocades 
may be artistically touched up in this manner with 
tints that harmonize with the general color scheme of 
the gown on which they are to be used as trimmings. 

Hand-painted gowns of sheer fabric may be made by 
pinning the colored pattern to the board, tightly 
stretching the material over it and then painting it, 
using brushes and following the design underneath. 

WHEN SEWING SILK IS USED ON MACHINE 

it often becomes unwound and tightens about the spool 
spindle, causing the silk to break. This can be over- 
come by cutting a round hole in a small piece of flan- 
nel or felt and placing this shield on the spindle before 
putting on the spool. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 29 

HOME-MADE SCREENS. 

The old-fashioned outside blinds can be converted 
into serviceable window screens by removing the shut- 
ters and tacking wire screen on the outside the entire 
length of the blind. Weather strips or other narrow 
strips may be tacked over the outside to hide rough 
edges and also to give a finished appearance. 

TO ESCAPE SPRING HOUSECLEANING, 

clean one room of your house thoroughly every week, 
cleaning windows, washing curtains and bed spreads, 
etc. In this way the cleaned room stays clean much 
longer and you escape what you dread — housecleaning 
time, 

SODA CLEANS SILVER. 
Use baking soda for cleaning silver; apply as you 
would any silver polish. It is fine for removing stains 
from either silver or china, and is perfectly harmless. 

WET SAWDUST USED IN CLEANING A 
CELLAR 

will prevent a great deal of dust from rising. Brush 
the walls of the cellar first, then clean the shelves, etc. 
Before sweeping the cement floor throw a quantity of 
wet sawdust over it. It will take up the dust and 
ashes as you sweep. 

AN EFFECTIVE SCARF FOR A HALL TABLE 

may be made of linen crash, with a figure embroidered 
on each end of the same design as that in the wall 
paper in the hall. 

TO KEEP SASH CURTAINS THE PROPER 
LENGTH 

after they are washed is always difficult. Here is a 
remedy: Measure the exact length wanted, and with 
a lead pencil and ruler mark lines on the sheet of the 



30 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

ironing board for the top and the bottom of the cur- 
tain ; then lay the damp curtain on the board between 
these two lines, moving it as may be necessary, but 
always keeping the edges exactly on the lines. 

PIN RUGS ON THE LINE. 

Pin your rugs on the line with the large safety pins 
commonly called horse-blanket pins. They will hold 
the rug in place while you beat them. 

ROACH REMEDY. 

A few drops of turpentine sprinkled around where 
roaches gather will exterminate them at once. 

TO CLEAN ROOM CHEAPLY. 

To clean a good sized room, make a dough of two 
quarts of flour and enough water to bring to a doughy 
condition, then add a pint of gasoline. Knead a hand- 
ful at a time and wipe the side walls with a downward 
stroke, working in straight lines. Use crosswise stroke 
for the ceiling. 

A SMALL RUG FOR THE SEWING MACHINE, 

made to fit the treadles, will keep the feet warm when 
using the machine in cold weather. 

FASTEN SMALL BRASS RINGS ON MITTENS 

and other articles of clothing that children are apt to 
throw around carelessly, then have hooks placed within 
easy reach of the children, and there will be no excuse 
for leaving the garments wherever they happen to fall. 

RULES FOR LIVING. 

Some good rules for housekeepers are given below 
and are worth remembering and observing: 
Drink less — breathe more. 
Eat less — chew more. 
Ride less — walk more. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 31 

Clothe leSvS — bathe more. 
Worry less — sleep more. 
Talk less — think more. 
Waste less — give more. 
Scold less — read more. 
Preach less — practice more. 

TO BANISH RATS. 

Chloride of lime is infallible ; it should be put down 
tlie rat holes and spread about wherever they are likely 
to appear. 

WHEN RUG CURLS AT EDGES. 

Rugs that curl at edges can be made to lie flat by 
dampening curled edge and pressing with a hot iron. 

WHAT TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN'S 
RUBBERS 

is a problem which may be solved by the following 
suggestion: Have the top or tread of the lower back 
stair taken off and put back on hinges. The space 
under the step will make a good box for rubbers. 

USE FOR EMBROIDERY RINGS. 

Instead of making a slot in sash curtains to run the 
rod through, if brass rings used for fancy work are 
strung on a narrow tape and stitched every three 
inches apart to a narrow hem in the top of curtain, the 
rod slips in with ease, thereby saving time, temper and 
also curtains. 

RENEW RUGS. 

If the ends of your rugs have become worn and look 
shabby from much walking on one place, buy a small 
package of dye the same color as the edge of your 
rug. After the dye is ready to use, take an old tooth- 
brush, or any small brush will do, and dye the ends 
and places that are worn. This can be done to the 
most expensive rugs, and they will look like new. 



32 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO FASTEN CHILDREN'S ROMPERS, 

try using skirt fasteners of the largest size. They 
save the making of many button holes and do not 
easily become undone. 

TO PROTECT PIANO JUST BACK OF THE 
PEDALS 

when children are practicing. Get a piece of dark 
cardboard about 12x15 inches, such as is used for 
mounting pictures, and on the long side cut out two or 
three strips (as there may be either two or three 
pedals), having the strips as wide as the pedals, so that 
the cardboard may be easily slipped down over them 
and rest perpendicularly against the case. This card- 
board will not be noticeable and will save the piano 
from many scratches. 

TO AVOID THE USE OF PILLOW SHAMS, 

keep your pillows looking fresh by slipping a pair of 
clean pillow cases over those which are used at night. 
It is but a few moments' work at night to remove the 
day slips and put them away till morning. They may 
be hemstitched or embroidered, as one desires. To 
those who dislike shams of any sort this suggestion 
should be welcome. 

PLAY TABLE MAY BE EASILY MADE. 

Take two small boxes and a board. The two boxes 
should be about a foot and a half long, a foot wide and 
a foot deep. Stand them on end like little cupboards 
and put two shelves in each one. Now get a smooth 
pine board, six feet long, a foot wide and an inch thick. 
Set up a box under each end, and you will have a nice 
long table with two cupboards for playthings. On the 
long board mark out a railroad with led pencil or ink, 
having switches, side tracks, etc. If the child has toy 
cars he will amuse himself for hours with this railroad 



' 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 33 

alone. A little stool, three feet long, eight inches wide 
and ten inches high, might go with the table. If de- 
sired the whole outfit could be painted to harmonize 
with the room in which it is to be kept. 

SMALL PILLOW FOR AN INVALID 

will be greatly appreciated — one that measures 10x10 
inches and is stuffed loosely with feathers, or, better 
still, with balsam pine needles. This small pillow may 
be tucked under an aching back or will support a sick 
person when she is trying to lie on her side. Several 
small pillows are better than one, and will prove a 
blessing to the sick person. 

FEATHER PILLOWS SHOULD BE AIRED IN 
THE SHADE. 

Hang them on the breezy side of the house on a 
sunny day. It is natural, when such pillows are used 
in preference to hair pillows, to put them in the sun- 
light, especially when a house has been closed all sum- 
mer, but the rays of the sun are likely to dry the oil 
in the feathers. 

HAVE EACH BACK PORCH STEP MADE INTO 

A BOX 

with hinges to permit the cover to be raised easily. You 
will find these boxes convenient receptacles for croquet 
sets, tennis rackets, garden tools, playthings, etc., 
which often clutter the porch itself. 

WHEN PLANNING FOR A HOME, 

even if it may be still in the distant future, it is a good 
idea to cut out pictures of houses that you like, or 
details of doorways, fireplaces, and even plans for a 
garden, and paste them in a scrapbook. Suggestions 
for curtains or other furnishings may also be cut out 
and pasted in. The book may be divided into sections 
for outdoor and indoor suggestions. When the time 



34 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

comes to build the house such a book will offer many 
welcome ideas which otherwise would be forgotten. 

CLEANING PAINTED WALLS. 

To every pail two-thirds full of warm water, add one 
handful of common glue. Wash a small surface and 
rinse with clear water, and so on until wall is all 
cleaned. Then use a woolen cloth saturated with lin- 
seed oil, rubbing over the entire surface. Easy to ac- 
complish. 

AN EMERGENCY PURSE 
kept in the shopping bag, containing pins of various 
sizes, safety pins, court plaster, stamps, string, rub- 
ber bands, a pencil and penknife, will be found invalua- 
ble on many occasions. 

PLASTER PARIS. 

To clean any article made of plaster paris, use 
hand brush dipped in gasoline. Use freely and scrub ; 
will not injure in any way. When clean take dry, soft 
cloth and rub gently until nicely polished. 

TO REMOVE PAINT SPOTS. 

Paint stains that are dry and old can be removed 
from cotton and woolen goods with chloroform. It is 
a good plan to first cover the spots with olive oil or 
butter. 

A PRESERVE CLOSET FOR A FLAT DWELLER 

may be made in the following way, if the flat contains 
a hall window that is not conspicuous: Half a dozen 
shelves, each two feet and a half long by a foot and a 
half wide, boarded up at the sides and across the top, 
form the closet. One of the board sides only is cov- 
ered, forming the door, which is fitted tight and forms 
a lock. The other open side is fastened securely to 
the lower half of a hall window on the inside. The 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 35 

degree of heat and cold needed is regulated by opening 
and shutting the window at the back of the closet. 

PUT POCKETS ON THE UNDER SIDE OF 
APRONS, 

near the right-hand edge, and they will be found just 
as convenient for use, yet will not catch on doorknobs 
and get torn. 

USE A HOT-WATER BAG WHEN PIPES ARE 
FROZEN UP 

and you may be able to open the passage with far less 
trouble than by pouring hot water over the pipes, and 
just as quickly, too. 

PLANTS PRESERVE PIANOS. 

To keep the piano from drying out in a furnace- 
heated flat, fill a glass rose jar with cold water and 
put in a dozen sprays of "Wandering Jew." They will 
take root in the water and grow with little light. On 
cleaning days remove the plants, wash the jar and fill 
with fresh water. 

USE PILLOW WHEN SCRUBBING. 

A pillowslip made of oilcloth stuflfed with hair, 
feathers or anything similar, on which to kneel while 
scrubbing, will save aching knees. Slip the toes of 
old socks or stockings over your shoe toes, fasten with 
rubber bands to save your shoes from rubbing while 
scrubbing. 

PILLOW COVERS. 

Many of the magazines, Tribune pictures and post- 
ers have pretty heads that will furnish a design for 
artistic pillow covers. The heads of children or Cupids 
easily are obtained. With a sheet of impression paper 
these can be traced on linen, and when outlined make 
artistic covers. 



36 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO CLEAN WHITE PAINT 

take a flannel cloth, saturate it with kerosene, and go 
over paint with it. Then take a pail of soapy water 
and a clean cloth and wash the paint off. 

TIGHT HOOKS IN PLASTER. 

In fastening brackets, strips of wood, etc., to plaster 
walls by means of screws, it is often found impossible 
to make the screws hold firmly. The best plan is to 
enlarge the hole to about twice the diameter of the 
screw, fill it with plaster paris and bed the screw in 
the soft plaster. When plaster has set the screw will 
hold. 

TO REMOVE PAINT STAINS. 

To remove paint and putty stains from window 
glass, dip a wet cloth in baking soda and rub the paste 
thus made thinly over the glass. Let remain fifteen 
minutes and wash in soft, warm water without soap. 
This will bring all the stains with it. Rub dry and 
polish; or wash the window glass with hot, sharp 
vinegar; this will remove mortar and paint. 

PICTURE FRAMES. 

For gilt frames use the water in which onions have 
been boiled, as it will restore their brightness. Loose 
dust that has settled on pictures and moldings may 
best be removed with a broom covered with flannel, 
as the dust will cling to the cloth and will not be scat- 
tered over the floor. 

CARRY A FEW PENS IN YOUR BAG. 

If you do not possess a fountain pen, you will find 
it worth while to take a few pen points along, as the 
pens provided at some hotels and public places are 
often so bad that it is often impossible to use them 
with any satisfaction. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 37 

PINE BAGS. 

A woman who takes great pleasure in her house- 
keeping and passes her summers among the pines and 
balsams, always has a "pine" day, during which she 
has luncheon out of doors, and later her friends gather 
balsam branches for her. These are kept in the sun 
for weeks until dry enough to strip easily from the 
stems, and then cases are filled to keep with the house 
linen. To use these pine-scented sheets and pillow 
cases is a delight, and it is one that many women 
might have with practically no expense and little 
trouble. 

PACKING CLOTHES FOR TRAVELING. 

Stuff nice waists with tissue paper and place them 
in the upper tray, which it is well to pad with several 
folded newspapers. In the hat box of this tray place a 
small hat, if you have one, tucking around it any un- 
starched underwear that will hold the hat in place. In 
the second tray pack the skirts of the best gowns and 
your evening coat. Across the bottom of the entire 
trunk arrange your underclothes, making a perfectly 
smooth, compact layer. Above these place a small hat 
box with your best hat, carefully packed with tissue 
paper. Next to the hat box fit in, if possible, an oblong 
pasteboard box packed with your laundered shirt- 
waists and blouses to thin summer gowns. Over these 
arrange all your skirts — the heavier ones underneath. 
Small articles like gloves, handkerchiefs, neckties, etc., 
may be packed in the upper tray with the best waists, 
shoes in separate bags, and stockings in the bottom of 
the trunk, with the underwear. 

WASHING PAINT. 

In washing paint be sure to use clean, hot water 
and as little soap as possible. Dry the paint very 
quickly, as it will be injured and become streaky by 



38 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

the water left on it. If there be dirty spots, rub with 
turpentine, using only a little on the cloth. If the 
paint be unvarnished, use whiting in the water, or 
wash with cold tea. The flannel for washing must not 
be wet much, and the paint should be dried quickly. 
No scrubbing brush should ever be used on paint. 

PILLOW SHEETS FOR CHILD'S BED. 

Instead of buying regular sheeting, purchase the 
54-inch pillow-case material. This width will be found 
sufficiently wide for a child's bed, and with a hemstitch 
at the top makes an easily handled sheet for a small 
bed. The length of the sheet depends on the bed. 

GOOD PROP FOR PLANTS. 

A good prop for plants, especially in cemeteries, 
may be made by using the ribs of an old umbrella. 
They may be put in deep in the ground and are strong 
and invisible. 

TO REMOVE THE PAPER TOPS FROM MILK 

JARS 

a nut pick will be found as good as anything. Keep it 
in a convenient place, and there will be no more bent 
forks. 

SANDPAPER THE PERCHES OF BIRD CAGES 

instead of washing them. It will give them a smoother 
surface and will also save the bird from catching cold 
by standing on a damp perch. 

A PILLOW WHICH SERVES DOUBLE PUR- 
POSE ON A JOURNEY 

may be obtained by a small outlay. Make a pillow 
top of any pretty dark material and fasten one end by 
means of buttons and buttonholes ; then make a small 
eiderdown comforter, which will fold twice, to fit into 
the pillow cover. Button it in the case, and on the 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 39 

train or boat one may have a comforter pillow, or, if 
needed, a light extra wrap. 

FASTEN A SMALL PINCUSHION TO YOUR 

DRESS 

when cleaning house, then every pin found may be 
put in it, and if a pin is needed it will be there, and 
you will not have to look for one. A needle threaded 
and put in the cushion is also helpful in case "just one 
stitch" is needed in some article. 

RESTORE POLISH TO A PIANO. 

First dust it with a dry, soft cloth ; then dip in clear, 
cold water and wring as dry as possible a piece of 
chamois skin of good size, and rub it hard all over the 
piano. If the chamois skin becomes soiled, rinse it 
and use again. 

PASTEBOARD PACKING-BOARDS FOR 
TRUNKS 

will be found a great help to keep dresses in good con- 
dition when traveling. At a box factory you can get 
the pasteboard cut the desired size, which should be 
exactly the same as the interior of your trunk trays. 
Make cases or slips of some cheap percale and cover 
the pasteboard with them, sewing up the ends. Fasten 
half-inch tapes in the middle of each end of the board, 
long enough to meet and tie at the center and at each 
corner, and also on each side attach additional tapes. 
To pack a gown or skirt which will not go full length 
of the trunk, lay the garment on one of these boards, 
tie the tapes at the corners and fold over them the end 
of the garment ; then tie also the tapes that run length- 
wise and crosswise. The garment will be held secure 
and flat. Another advantage is that at a hotel, or 
whenever you wish to take out one dress, you escape 
disarranging all the others, for all that is required is 
simply to undo the particular board you need. 



40 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

KEEP CLEAN THE PLATES FROM WHICH 
YOUR PETS EAT 

if you want your dogs and cats to be well. Both ani- 
mals have a keen sense of smell, and the sour plate 
is often the cause of their lack of appetite. Have a 
distinctive sort of dish for the animals so that it will 
not be mixed with others in the house. 

PAPER BAGS MAY BE EASILY KEPT FOR 
FUTURE USE 

by means of a spring clothespin hung in the pantry. 
When put in a table drawer after being emptied they 
not only take space that is more useful for other 
things, but also are likely to get torn and become 
worthless. 

PLASTER FIGURES. 
Plaster figures in hard or alabaster finish are easily 
cleaned by dipping a stiff toothbrush in gasoline and 
scrubbing it in all the crevices. 

KEEP POTATO PEELINGS. 

Never throw away your potato peelings, but always 
burn them, and you will seldom have to clean your 
stove. 

PAPER IN DRIP PAN. 

Much labor may be saved by placing a piece of 
newspaper or a square of brown paper in the drip tray 
under the burners in your gas stove. When treated 
thus the paper can easily be removed when soiled and 
with little trouble and a fresh one put in. 

TO RENEW OLD WOODWORK. 

Old woodwork that is so hard to keep clean can be 
made to look like new grained wood by first painting 
it with a cream-colored paint to give it a body alike, 
and when dry go over it with a dark oak varnish stain. 
With a little practice it can be made to look like 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 41 

grained wood. As the varnish dries quickly, it leaves 
it darker in some places. 

ORANGEWOOD STICK. 

An orangewood stick, commonly used for manicur- 
ing, wrapped with a soft cloth, is fine for dusting the 
corners of the piano and other furniture. Carry it in 
your work-apron pocket and always have it ready. 

OLIVE OIL FOR FRYING PURPOSES. 

Olive oil is superior to lard or butter as a frying 
medium. Meats, potatoes, in fact everything to be 
fried in a skillet, tastes better for being cooked in oil. 

OVERSHOE BAG. 

A useful article for the school child is a bag in which 
the overshoes may be kept when not in use. It can 
hang on a hook in the cloak room, keeping the floor 
clean, avoiding the exchange of rubbers and looking 
for the same. 

WASHING OILED WOODWORK. 

Add kerosene to a pail of soft water when washing 
oiled woodwork and floors. Be sure to polish with a 
dry cloth, and you will be fully repaid. 

SAVE OLD UNDERWEAR. 

Saving old underwear for use when traveling will 
reduce many a laundry bill. When an undergarment 
has become what most people consider too far gone 
for mending, make it as whole as possible in a simple 
manner and put it away until you go on a trip. After 
it has become soiled it may be thrown away and 
another clean, mended article take its place. 

TAKE ONE DAY A MONTH. 

Taking one day a month for the home is a capital 
idea. On the day agreed upon the whole family, as far 



42 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

as possible, must give their time to making articles for 
the house or do something for it. Sofa-pillows, bureau- 
scarfs, pincushions, etc., may be made, furniture 
painted or stained, or shirtwaist boxes be made and 
covered with denim or cretonne. If the work planned 
for one day is not completed it can be laid away for 
the next "house day." 

PINCUSHION TO WEAR ON THE WRIST. 

A pincushion to wear on the wrist will be a con- 
venience to the home dressmaker. It should be a 
small, soft pincushion, attached to an elastic band, just 
snug enough to wear on the left wrist. No stopping 
of work is necessary to look for a pin. 

CUTTING OUT PICTURES IN LEISURE 
MOMENTS 

is one woman's method of giving pleasure to many 
children. Papers, magazines, catalogs, etc., containing 
pretty pictures are laid aside in a convenient place 
until she has time to attend to them. When a friend 
comes in whom she knows well she takes a pair of 
scissors and cuts out pictures while she is chatting, or 
she will cut them in the evening while some member 
of the family reads aloud. The cut pictures are put in 
a box and later are made up in packages. A blank 
book, a tube of paste and a package of pictures have 
found their way to many children and hospitals, and 
the pleasure given is very great in proportion to the 
time or expense involved. 

CARE OF POTTED PLANT. 

One of the best ways to revive a drooping potted 
plant is to place it over night in a vessel of water that 
reaches nearly two-thirds to the rim of the pot. This 
treatment is especially beneficial where the soil has 
become hardened. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 43 

FOR DROOPING PLANTS. 

If your plants seem inclined to decay, try sticking a 
half dozen matches in the earth around them, heads 
down. The sulphur in them will kill the worms that 
probably are eating away the roots. 

CROCHET FLOOR MOP. 

To make a lasting mop for the floor and giving the 
small girl something to do, save all cord from parcels, 
winding into a ball and crocheting a strip about nine 
inches wide and about twenty-seven inches long. It 
fits through patent handles nicely and makes an inex- 
pensive article. 

TO CLEAN MATTING. 

Do not forget that matting must never be washed 
with soapy water. A strong solution of salt cleans 
matting and makes it look like new. In laying mat- 
ting place one or two thicknesses of old newspapers 
underneath it, for matting always lets dust and dirt 
through it like a sieve, and when it has to be taken up 
the pieces of dust-covered paper can be carefully lifted 
and burned. Widths of matting sewed together with 
a loose stitch, using carpet thread, make the floor cov- 
ering look neater and wear better than when staples 
are used to fasten it down. 

SAVE NUTSHELLS. 

A good substitute for kindling is nut shells. Save 
them when you pick out nuts and they will burn easily 
on account of the oil left in them. 

GET RID OF MOSQUITOES. 

Take the handle of an old broom, tack the lid of a 
baking-powder box on it and put about one table- 
spoonful of kerosene in the tin. The mosquitoes are 
on the ceilings of the bedrooms in the morning. By 



44 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

covering them for a couple of seconds with this device 
they will die from the fumes of the kerosene. 

NOTE BOOK PENCIL AND SCISSORS. 

A note book, pencil and scissors attached to a belt 
by tapes will be of great service to the busy house- 
wife, saving time, and prevents many things from 
being forgotten. The advantage of each article are too 
many to enumerate, but a trial will prove the useful- 
ness of this plan. 

CLEAN NICKLR 

To clean nickle wash with hot soapsuds, 

TRAVELER'S NEEDLE CASE. 

The case is made of a strip of ribbon, three inches 
by eighteen, turning up at one end two inches, which 
should be stiffened by cardboard. Line the ribbon 
which is left with flannel and into it run needles 
threaded with black and white cotton and darning cot- 
ton, as well as with silk, the color of the gowns taken 
in the trunk or suitcase. Roll up around the card- 
board and fasten with ball and socket fasteners. 

WHERE THERE IS A NURSERY 

it is a good plan to have the door made in two parts — 
a Dutch door — so that the lower part may be shut and 
fastened and the upper one left open. x\nyone outside 
may see and hear all that is going on, and the children, 
if little, will be safe inside. If you do not wish to 
have the regular door cut in two, a half door may be 
made and put on the same door frame, 

NEEDLES AND COTTON TO USE. 

The needles and cotton to use to the best advantage 
in hand sewing is as follows: Use a No. 9 needle for 
70 or 80 cotton in hemming or tucking ; a No. 8 needle 
with 50 or 60 cotton for plain stitching, overhanging 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 45 

and overcasting ; a No. 7 needle with 40 or 50 thread 
for buttonholes, and a Nos. 7 or 8 needle with 36 and 
40 thread for gathering. 

PROTECTION AGAINST MOTHS. 

Use newspapers in all boxes and trunks where win- 
ter clothing is to be packed, as moths abhor printer's 
ink. Also wrap all plumes and wings in newspapers, 
fasten the ends securely with pins, and you need not 
worry about moths. 

MADE-OVER MATTING. 

A thin coat of varnish applied to straw matting will 
make it much more durable and keep it looking fresh 
and new. White varnish should be used on white mat- 
ting. 

A WAY TO SAVE MONEY FOR CHILDREN 

is to put aside all the coins coming into your posses- 
sion bearing the date of the children's birth years. If 
the coins are put into little banks, one for each child, 
and these banks are opened once a year and the con- 
tents deposited in savings banks, quite a little sum 
may accumulate while the children are small. 

WHEN A VALUABLE PIECE OF MUSIC 
BEGINS WEARING OUT 

along the edges, you will be able to preserve it longer 
if you bind the ragged edges with passe partout. After 
applying the binding press the sheet with a warm iron. 

MARKS MADE WITH MATCHES. 

Cut a sour orange or lemon in half. Apply the cut 
half to the marks, rubbing for a moment quite hard, 
then wash off with a clean rag, dip first in water to 
moisten it, and then whiting. Rub well with this rag, 
dry thoroughly, and the marks will disappear. Of 
course sometimes they are burned in so deeply that 



46 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

they cannot be quite eradicated. All finger marks on 
painted walls should be rubbed off with a little damp 
whiting the same way, and never washed with soap 
suds, which destroys the paint. 

TO CLEAN MATTING. 

To one gallon of water add one tablespoonful of 
ammonia. Wet a cotton cloth in this solution and ring 
as dry as possible, pin cloth over your broom and 
sweep; it will brighten your matting and will raise 
no dust, and will destroy numerous insects. 

CARE OF MIRRORS. 

A simple way to keep mirrors and other glass pol- 
ishes is to rub it well over with some tissue paper. 
Any stains or fly marks also can be removed in this 
way. 

TO SAVE MONEY FOR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIP- 

TIONS 

make several muslin bags and label each with the title 
of the new magazine for which you wish to subscribe 
or an old one for which you wish to renew your sub- 
scription. In the little bag place any number of pen- 
nies, nickels or dimes, and when the time comes to 
make payments the money is ready. 

USE OF MILK AND CREAM. 

1 — To clean piano keys beautifully. 

2 — It will take declorations from gilt mirror and 
picture frames. 

3 — It will take out ink spots of long standing. 

4 — Used in starch, will give a gloss like that ob- 
tained in laundry. 

5 — Used in bluing for lace curtains, wull make them 
like new. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 47 

KEEP MATTRESS CLEAN. 

Make a thick paste by wetting starch with cold 
water and spread this on the stain, first putting the 
mattress in the sun; rub this off after an hour or so, 
and if the ticking it not clean try the process again. 

MOUSE-PROOF PANTRY. 

In building or doing over a house, before the final 
boards are put on the pantry have it lined throughout 
with mosquito wire. It is not expensive to put on this 
mouse-proof interlining, and the relief from the pests 
would compensate for the expenditure, even though it 
were double. 

KEEP LAMP CLEAN. 

If a lamp is kept full of oil and perfectly clean in all 
its parts, it will never be disagreeable. It is the oil 
slowly frying on the heated metal which makes the 
persistent noisesome odor, or it is the wick turned too 
high which emits the occasional choking smell. 

TO GRATE A LEMON. 

There is a right and a wrong way to grate a lemon, 
as there is to do everything else, and, according to a 
cooking teacher, not one woman in a hundred knows 
the right way. 

''Most the cases of curdled sauces and custards 
flavored with lemon are due to the fact that lemons 
are not grated properly," she says, "and a properly 
grated lemon would present just the same appearance 
so far as outline is concerned as before the grating 
process was commenced, there being no deep gouges 
in the pit, as is generally the case. The oil of the 
lemon which is wanted for flavoring is all in the yel- 
low portion of the rind, the white pith underneath 
being bitter and liable to cause curdling if used with 
milk or cream. This white pith hasn^t the slightest 
suspicion of the real lemon flavor, and still the average 



48 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

housekeeper hasn't learned this and keeps on grating 
right through the oily yellow rind dowrrvinto the bitter 
pith, and then wonders why on earth the milk should 
curdle. The habit of grating a lemon correctly is 
easily learned when one's attention is called to the 
matter. The grating should begin at the end of the 
lemon, and as small a surface as possible of the grater 
should be used. This prevents waste. The lemon 
should be turned in the same way that one turns an 
apple under a knife when peeling. Grating a lemon 
properly is a pretty little trick, once it is learned, and 
it often means success where before there has been 
failure. 

PRESERVE LINOLEUM. 
When new, varnish with a heavy coat of floor var- 
nish and let dry perfectly before treading upon it. 
Varnish twice a year with a thick coat and the pattern 
will never wear off and will always look like new. 

GILT LAMP BURNERS. 

Having several lamp burners that were good, but 
black, I painted them with gold paint and they throw 
out the most brilliant light and the heat does them no 
harm. The painting is much more quickly done and 
is nicer in every way than the tedious boiling process. 
Clean thoroughly before applying the first coat of 
paint. 

LACQUER FOR SILVERWARE. 

One can lacquer silver or brassware with ten cents' 
worth of banana oil, for sale in all art departments. 
Apply with small camel's hair brush immediately after 
polishing. This keeps the silver bright for at least 
three months and saves sending to silversmiths. 

PUTTING AWAY LEFTOVERS. 

Putting away leftovers in fire-proof bowls will save 
the washing of many extra dishes. Pretty Japanese 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 49 

bowls may be bought, in which small portions left 
over and worth serving again may be put when first 
taken from the table. In these same bowls the food 
may be reheated and served. 

LIST OF THINGS. 

Keep a list of things not in common use; will save 
searching for something needed and known to have 
been put away safely somewhere. A little book kept 
in your desk, in which is written just where these 
''put-away" things are kept, will be the means of 
avoiding much trouble. 

TO CLEAN LEATHER FURNITURE 

add a little vinegar to some warm water (not hot) and 
wash the leather, using a clean cloth or small sponge. 
Wipe with a dry cloth. Then to restore the polish put 
two teaspoonfuls of turpentine with the white of two 
eggs ; beat a little, and apply with a clean flannel cloth. 
Dry with another cloth. All the cloths should be wSoft 
and absolutely clean. 

LOOSEN CORKS. 

If a cork sticks to a bottle, turn upside down and the 
liquid will loosen it. If a glass stopper, put a drop of 
oil around the top and it will soon loosen. In pouring 
medicine from a bottle, pour opposite from directions 
and the number of prescription, then if the bottle has 
to be refilled you will have no trouble in telling the 
number and knowing the directions. 

TO PRESS LEAVES. 

Press the leaves carefully between the newspapers, 
taking care to avoid lapping one over another. The 
next day take out the leaves and dry the papers. Put 
the leaves again in press and the next day repeat the 
drying process. This should be done four or five times, 
until all the moisture is extracted from the leaves. 



50 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

This is troublesome, but the result is brilliant. If the 
face of each leaf after the pressing is brushed over 
with sulphuric acid diluted one-half with water, the 
color will be still brighter. Do not wax or varnish 
the leaves, as it gives them an unnatural gloss. They 
can be made into sprays of garlands by means of fine 
florist's wire twisted tightly around the stems. 

WHEN MAKING COFFEE 

put a cup of cold water in the pot and beat an egg 
in this before putting in coffee, and the coffee will 
never stick to the bottom of the pot. 

SAVE THE PIECES CUT FROM NEW TABLE 

LINEN. 

When the linen becomes old and requires mending, 
ravel the threads from the pieces which were laid away 
and use them to darn the old cloth. There is always a 
piece to cut oft* when hemming new tablecloths, as a 
thread must be drawn to make the cloth even before 
hemming. 

LABELS FOR PRESERVE JARS. 

Labels may be easily obtained by writing the names 
of the various fruits on unglazed white passe partout 
paper, which is gummed on the back and can therefore 
be easily pasted on the jars. Another way is to write 
the names on a sheet of white paper and run a trac- 
ing-wheel between every two names, which will make 
each one detachable. Paste must, of course, be used 
to fasten on such labels. 

KITCHEN WALLS. 

A painted kitchen becomes greasy from the steam 
caused by cooking and the dust by sweeping, which 
altogether it is almost impossible to remove. To a 
pailful of warm soapsuds add a little ammonia and 
three or four tablespoonfuls of kerosene, which when 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 51 

applied with a sponge or soft cloth will remove all 
greasy and dusty substances. 

KEEPING UNNECESSARY THINGS IN THE 
HOME. 

Keep in the home only what is necessary. Every 
few months go over the house, striving to view each 
room with the eyes of a stranger, and then with due 
regard for beauty and fitness she tries to get rid of 
what is not needed. Old clothing and magazines are 
given away, the former in their proper season — not 
winter wraps in June, nor straw hats in January. 
Superfluous ornaments, cracked dishes, old pictures, 
etc., instead of being piled up in the attic, are resolute- 
ly thrown away, given to someone or sent to a rum- 
mage sale. The result has been an easier house to 
clean, with more breathing space in it. 

KITCHEN RANGE. 

If the covers of the kitchen range get red and will 
not blacken, try rubbing on lemon juice first, then 
blacken. 

KEROSENE BRIGHTENS WINDOWS. 

Take a cotton sock, moisten with common kerosene 
and rub over the panes of glass several times. Then rub 
over with a cloth that is free from lint until the oil 
disappears and the glass is bright. Your windows will 
be clear with only half the work required by the 
ordinary way. Leave the windows open for a few 
minutes and the odor from the oil will disappear. 

GLUE LINOLEUM. 

Instead of tacking linoleum at edges and where 
widths are joined together, use prepared glue on 
wrong side. It not only looks better, but when taking 
it up it doesn't leave any holes and no bugs can make 
a hiding place underneath edge. 



52 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

MENDING LACE CURTAINS. 

Buy a bolt of the braid the proper width and baste 
on by following the pattern and sew on by machine. 
Wash and stretch, and when dry cut off the edges that 
were torn by stretching them, and your curtains will 
look like new ones and will last again as long. 

HOME-MADE LIME WATER. 

Lime water is often sold by druggists as a remedy 
for children's illness, and know from experience it is 
most valuable in most cases, a teaspoonful in a small 
cup being a dose. It is fine for cleansing nursing bot- 
tles, as it sweetens and purifies without leaving an un- 
pleasant odor. It will save milk for housekeepers, as 
a little poured into cream or milk after a hot day will 
keep it all right for the next morning's coffee or tea. 
If you fear the souring over night in hot weather of 
your sponge set for bread, a cup of lime water stirred 
through will keep it sweet. The lime water is most 
easily prepared. A piece of unslacked lime the size 
of a four-quart measure being procured, place it in a 
stone jar or unpainted pail. Pour over it slowly about 
four gallons of hot water, stirring thoroughly. Let it 
settle, then stir again two or three times in twenty- 
four hours. Bottle all you can pour off in a clear 
state, then it is ready when you need it in use for sick- 
ness or housekeeping. 

TO MEND LACE CURTAINS. 

A fine way to mend lace curtains is to remove the 
feeder on your sewing machine and, placing torn part 
of the curtain under the foot of machine, swing back 
and forth until the hole is filled. By removing feeder 
the goods will not draw and will make a strong 
twisted thread that cannot be distinguished from the 
curtain itself. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 53 

LACE SPREAD. 

Buy a pair of net curtains with a dainty edge; also 
a few yards of small insertion. Sew the curtains to- 
gether with the insertion, and you have a pretty lace 
spread for your bed. A lining of pink or blue satine 
may be made separately. 

HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES. 

A list of household articles that are needed will 
prove a great help to the one that does the family 
shopping. Have in a convenient place a note book 
in which to dot down the various articles that are 
wanted the next time someone goes to town. This lit- 
tle book is vastly better than a list hastily written 
just before starting. It is a help, too, in a financial 
way, for by confining one's self to the list of articles 
really needed one is not so liable to be tempted by all 
the pretty things displayed in the stores. 

HOUSEHOLD ACCOUNTS. 

It simplifies the keeping of household accounts if a 
large calendar is hung on the kitchen wall with a pen- 
cil tied near it. On the proper dates jot down the 
expenditures of that day, and at the end of each week 
copy them into an account book. 

MEASURE YOUR ICE. 

If you are in doubt whether your dealer gives you 
full weight when you receive ice, use your tape meas- 
ure. A fifty-pound block should be fifteen inches long, 
ten inches deep and ten inches broad. 

DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR ICEMAN'S TONGS. 

The tongs are usually weighed with the ice and they 
weigh about three pounds. Ask your iceman to weigh 
his and then deduct the fair amount from the total 
weight charged against you at the end of the week. 



54 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

Three pounds may appear to be a small matter, but it 
means about seventy-five pounds a month if purchases 
are made daily. 

A SMALL IRONING BOARD 

may be made from an ordinary bread board. Covered 
with flannel and a piece of old sheeting, it will be found 
very useful, either for the dressmaker or when ironing 
small pieces. 

TO TEST JARS. 
Fill jar with cold water and screw cap down tight 
on the rubber, then turn upside down for a few minutes 
and you will be able to see if it leaks. If it leaks, try 
another cap and rubber; if it does not remedy the leak 
your jar has a lump on the glass where it must come 
together and never will be airtight. 

TO OPEN FRUIT JAR. 

If the cover of a fruit jar sticks, do not attempt to 
wrench it off; simply invert the jar and place the top 
in hot water for a minute; then try it, and you will 
find it will turn easily. 

AN IMAGINARY JOURNEY WILL AMUSE 
CHILDREN. 

For a rainy day an imaginary journey will be found 
very amusing and is something easily accomplished. 
First provide each child with a book made of brown 
wrapping-paper. These books may be made quickly 
by folding a number of thicknesses of the paper and 
stitching them down the center on the machine, then 
cutting this big book into as many smaller ones as may 
be needed. Bring from their hiding places old cata- 
logues and magazines, telling the children that they 
are about to start on a ''play" journey. Let them cut 
out pictures of trunks and paste these in their books 
first. After that let them hunt through the catalogues 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 55 

for articles to pack in their trunks, pasting these below 
the trunks. Trains and boats may then be added, and 
hotels and pretty scenery. Indeed, until the children 
lose interest a great variety of ideas may be carried 
out. 

ADD HEIGHT TO CEILINGS. 
When putting up curtains in a low room, put the 
cornice to which the curtain is to be fastened close to 
the ceiling. The curtains meeting at top will conceal 
the wall, and it gives the effect of greater height to 
the ceiling. 

A SHORT HATPIN IS USEFUL AT THE SEW- 
ING MACHINE. 

With it one can guide and place the work. Keep the 
hatpin in the machine drawer. 

TO KEEP HAT ON STRAIGHT WITH THIN 

HAIR 

place a small piece of tulle or veiling across the top 
of the head before pinning on the hat. This is par- 
ticularly suggested for elderly women who like to 
avoid appearing anywhere with their hats awry. 

AN IDEA FOR WASHING HOUSE PLANTS. 

Take a square of table oilcloth about twice the size 
of the flower pot, cut a small hole in the center and 
from one edge cut the oilcloth to the hole; then wrap 
the cloth around the stem of the plant, lapping over 
the edges that were cut and resting the cloth on top 
of the flower pot. When you begin to sprinkle the 
plants the leaves will be well washed, but no soil will 
be washed off or even wet. 

HOUSEHOLD ORNAMENTS. 

Put away all your household ornaments during the 
warm months. If your mantelpieces and tables are 
loaded with little things, take them all away. Leave 



56 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

a few framed photographs, if you like, and glass vases 
for flowers. Make the flowers your summer orna- 
ments, cutting them with a lavish hand. At first your 
rooms may look bare, but the restfulness to the eyes 
and the relief from dusting so many ornaments and 
bric-a-brac will repay you. Have your books and 
magazines about, and with plenty of cut flowers your 
rooms will be attractive enough. 

PLAN THE WORK OF HOUSECLEANING. 

Do your planning before the time comes, and do 
many of the lighter tasks before the actual cleaning 
begins. Put closets and bureau drawers in order, re- 
pair and polish furniture, and take down and launder 
curtains. The actual cleaning of the rooms will seem 
much easier, and it will be a comfort when one is tired 
after the hard work to know that all the lighter work 
has been done. 

USEFUL HAT BOX. 

Cut a large circle of pasteboard and cover with any 
kind of cambric or any kind of material you wish. To 
this sew a fulled piece about twelve inches or more 
in depth, trim in the upper edge and stitch, and then 
insert a drawstring. This kind of a hat box keeps the 
hat from becoming soiled or dusty and can be hung up 
out of the way. 

MAKE A BAG FOR YOUR HAMMOCK. 

Put your hammock in a bag when you put it away in 
the autumn. It may be one of ticking or heavy un- 
bleached cotton cloth. Have it wide enough for the 
hammock to slip in easily when rolled up from end to 
end. Take care also to allow an extra foot at the open 
end of the bag for a flap to be buttoned over. Roll up 
the hammock carefully, slip it into the bag, button the 
bag, and you have a neat bundle to put away until next 
summer. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 57 

IF HANDS ARE ROUGH. 

It is hard to embroider if hands are rough, as most 
women know. Let them try rubbing the hands with 
the finest sand paper, and they will find that the em- 
broidery silks will not stick to the fingers. 

HALL BEDROOM. 

When a girl lives in a hall bedroom, as so many do 
in the city boarding houses, the space is so scanty that 
it is almost impossible to have all the furniture needed. 
One girl who has a room measuring only seven by 
nine feet has it furnished with a single iron folding- 
bed, a trunk covered for use as a seat, a writing desk, 
a stationary washstand in one corner with a mirror on 
the wall over it, and at the side of the mirror a row of 
hooks on which are hung all the toilet articles — brush, 
comb, hand mirror, etc., with one place reserved for a 
round box arranged as a hanging basket, in which are 
kept little things. 

KEEP A LIST IN THE GUEST-ROOM BUREAU 

to simplify the Avork of preparing the room for oc- 
cupancy. The list may be about as follows : Towels, 
washcloth, soap, fresh water, brush and comb, whisk- 
broom, buttonhook, shoehorn, hairpins, hand glass, 
nail file, matches, candle, sewing materials, pins (white 
and black) and safetypins. Of course most of these 
articles will already be in place, but the list will help 
the housekeeper make sure that nothing has been over- 
looked. 

GLASS FLOWER VASES. 
Glass flower vases are apt to become much stained 
in time, especially if such flowers as mignonette and 
forget-me-nots are left in them for a few days without 
changing the water. To remove the stains few meth- 
ods are better than that of placing a handful of used 
tea leaves at the bottom of the vase with a little vinegar 



58 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

and with the hand placed across the top, shake it until 
the marks have disappeared. If not completely 
eliminated this should be repeated, while in addition 
a rag wound around a stick and pushed into the 
crevices will effectually remove the most obstinate 
stains 

CLEANING GILT FRAMES. 
When gilt frames of pictures or looking-glasses or 
molding of rooms have specks of dirt on them, they 
can be cleaned with white of an egg gently rubbed on 
with a camel's-hair brush. 

TO CLEAN GUTTA PERCHA. 

To clean gutta percha, rub it with a mixture of soap 
and powdered charcoal and polish it with a dry cloth. 

COTTON GLOVES TO WEAR IN DOING 
HOUSEWORK 

are cooler and better in every way than old kid gloves. 
If they are bought especially for this purpose, get a 
size larger than those usually worn. 

TEN-CENT GLOVES. 

Too few housekeepers really know the value of a 
pair of canton-flannel gauntlet gloves. They are in- 
valuable to slip on when hanging out the laundry on 
a cold day. A later use for them, I discovered, was 
when roasting turkey. After putting them on I had 
no fear of burning my arms from the steam which is 
sure to arise when the lid of a piping hot roaster is 
raised 

GREAT CONVENIENCE. 

Get a small dishmop for five or ten cents to use for 
wiping under and between radiators. You will find 
this small mop a great convenience in the bathroom 
and elsewhere. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 59 

TO CUT GLASS. 

If you want to cut glass and have not a glass cutter 
handy, hold the glass under water, also the scissors 
and hands, and cut as you would a piece of paper. Be 
sure and keep all under water. 

TO MEND GLOVES. 

Do not use silk for this purpose, as it cuts the kid. 
Select cotton the exact shade of the gloves and with 
a fine needle buttonhole stitch around the rip or tear, 
then catch together on the wrong side and, taking one 
stitch at a time from one buttonhole stitch to the 
other, and when the rip or tear is joined in this way 
it is scarcely visible and lasts longer than if sewed 
through the glove. 

TO REMOVE STRONG TASTE FROM GAME. 

To remove the strong taste from game leave a quar- 
tered onion in it over night. 

TO WASH GRAINED WOODWORK 

take half a pail of hot water, add half pound of soap 
chips, boil until dissolved ; take from fire, add one pint 
of kerosene, then boil five minutes longer; add quarter 
of this to pail of warm water; wash woodwork thor- 
oughly, wipe dry, and lastly use good flannel rag to 
polish with. 

TO MEND RUBBER GAS TUBES. 

When your rubber gas tube leaks, find the leak by 
applying a lighted match along the hose, mark the 
place and mend the hole by pouring melted parafin 
over the leak. This stops the leak entirely and saves 
buying a new tube. 

GLUE-SIZED FLOORS. 

If a soft wood floor is glue sized before painting it 
will take less paint. 



60 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

GREASY STONE AND MARBLE. 

Use soft soap, one part; fuller's earth, two parts; 
potash, one part; mix with boiling water; lay it upon 
the grease spots and let it stand for a few hours. 

GASOLINE CLEANER. 

Put gasoline in a bread raiser that has a cover into 
a tub of hot water to heat; put goods in you want to 
clean, close it up, and leave it for at least half an hour, 
when you are ready, work the goods in the same way 
as you would with cold gasoline, but it is sure to clean 
better. Do the work out of doors and there will be no 
explosion. 

VARNISH GILT FRAMES. 

Cover gilt frames when new with a coat of white 
varnish. All specks can then be washed off with water 
without injury to the frame. 

TO PREVENT A GAS STOVE FROM RUSTING. 

When it is not to be used in the winter, wash and 
dry it thoroughly, scouring where necessary with 
pumice ; then wipe the stove with olive oil or a small 
piece of suet wrapped in cheesecloth. It is best to do 
this while the stove is still warm. 

TO KEEP EVENING GLOVES CLEAN IN A 
STREET CAR OR TRAIN, 

draw a pair of loose white silk or lisle gloves over the 
kid. The outer gloves may easily be drawn off and 
slipped into the muff or coat pocket. 

TO CLEAN FRUIT JARS EASILY, 

a dishmop and a long-handled clean paint brush will be 
found useful. With these simple aids the work may 
be done thoroughly and quickly, without the usual 
danger of scratching one's hands on the rough edges 
of the jars. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 61 

SOUR FLOUR. 

Do not attempt to use sour or moldy flour. Dry it 
out in the oven and save it for starch. 

AIRTIGHT FRUIT CANS. 
When canning fruit, after screwing lid on securely 
and while still hot, take a knife and press down hard 
edge of lid on to the rubber. The heat makes the lid 
pliable and easy to bend. It is especially good when 
using old jars whose lids have become uneven by pry- 
ing open. 

TO REMOVE FISH SCALES. 

After leaving the fish in cold water for about half 
an hour, take a potato grater and go over the fish a few 
times and the scales will all come off more easily than 
with any other method. Try it and convince yourself. 

FURNITURE POLISH. 

Equal parts of spirits of turpentine and vinegar. 
Rub furniture well. You will have a fine polish. 

CAN FRUIT SUCCESSFULLY. 

1. Don't make a mistake and wait until the special 
fruit in season is nearly over and then pay the highest 
prices for it. 

2. Don't think overripe, soft fruit makes good pre- 
serves or jellies. 

3. Don't ever use anything but the best materials 
for good results. 

4. Don't use what is called ''A" or ''soft" white 
sugar, or brown ; use granulated white sugar for all 
preserves and jellies. 

5. Don't use granulated sugar for spiced fruit ; use 
light brown only. 

6. Don't make spiced fruit too sweet ; four pounds 
of light brown sugar to seven pounds of fruit is a good 
proportion. 



62 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

7. Don't use an overabundance of spices — too much 
makes it taste bitter. 

8. Don't cover preserves or jellies while cooking — 
they are apt to boil over. 

9. Don't use cold sugar for jellies; measure the 
strained fruit juice; to each pint allow one pound 
granulated sugar, put it on a platter in a warm oven 
to heat, and add it to the boiling liquid. 

10. Don't use jars or glasses for preserves that have 
been used for pickles. 

11. Don't put hot preserves in cold glasses or jars 
and not expect accidents; have the glasses or jars in 
scalding water, rinse well, then fill as quickly as pos- 
sible. 

12. Don't allow preserves to stand about after they 
are cold ; put melted paraffine on, cover with lids, wash 
off every trace of stickiness, and put in a cool, dark, 
dry place for future use. 

13. Don't expect to make good preserves "hit or 
miss." They require great care, combined with the 
best materials and exact measurements to insure suc- 
cess. 

14. Don't allow preserves to cook over a hot fire 
and not expect them to stick and scorch. 

15. Don't let them cook without stirring, even 
when the fire is slow. 

16. Don't cook preserves on a gas range without an 
asbestos mat. 

17. Don't cook preserves in an old kettle which is 
used for other purposes. 

18. Don't use a thin agate saucepan ; an old-fash- 
ioned porcelain-lined iron preserving kettle is best. 

19. Don't use the old-time "bell metal" brass pre- 
serving kettles unless they are cleaned and polished 
as our grandmothers did them, otherwise they are dan- 
gerous articles. 

20. Don't leave the preserving, jelly making or can- 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 63 

ning to servants; they will not take the time and 
trouble that you would to have them right. 

21. Don't think you can hurry preserves; it is out 
of the question to do so and yet have them perfect. 

22. Don't forget to rub the bottom of the preserv- 
ing kettle freely with olive oil to prevent sticking. 

23. Don't pare peaches, pears, pineapples or even 
apples with a steel knife — it darkens the fruit. Use a 
silver knife. 

24. Don't neglect to drop apples, pears, peaches and 
all light fruit into a bowl of cold water as you do them 
to prevent discoloration before cooking. 

KEEP FOOD FOR WINTER. 

There are many things in this time of the year that 
can be stored away for winter use, and with a little 
knowledge a number of fresh fruits and vegetables can 
be kept during the winter months and will be hailed 
with delight by the entire family. 

Procure fresh bunches of grapes, put each into a 
paper sack, tie tightly at stem, and hang in a dry place 
that is cool in the cellar, and you will have delicious 
grapes many months after they are off the market. 

Select firm, green tomatoes, cutting them from vine 
about one inch from tomato, wipe dry, and wrap each 
tomato separately in brown paper. Pack in wooden 
box and place in dark, cool corner of vegetable cellar. 
These will ripen beautifully. 

In packing celery that will keep until spring, select 
good, crisp stalks and bury in black earth in a cool 
corner of the cellar. Be sure to cover celery entirely 
with earth, and after taking out what you need each 
day cover remainder well. You will be surprised at 
the white, crisp celery you will have all winter when it 
is impossible to buy it. 

Apples are much cheaper in the summer than in the 
winter. Sulphured apples are like fresh ones and will 



64 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

keep all year. In a wooden tub lay three gallons of 
pared and quartered apples. On a saucer in the center 
of the tub place a red-hot coal the size of an egg and 
sprinkle a teaspoonful of sulphur over coal. Cover tub 
quickly with heavy blankets and let stand one-half 
hour. Pack apples in stone jar and tie paper on top. 

EASY WAY TO REPAIR YOUR FURNACE. 

When holes come in the outside of your furnace or 
in the galvanized iron pipes, patch them with asbestos 
paper and boiled flour paste. Patches of this kind are 
good for years' wear. 

TO ARRANGE SHORT-STEMMED FLOWERS 

like pansies or wild violets, take a glass berry-dish or 
a shallow bowl, cover with netting (a piece of old lace 
curtain will do), and tie the netting beneath the dish 
with thread; then put the stems into the holes of the 
netting, after having nearly filled the bowl with water. 
To improve the appearance stand the bowl in a large 
one. 

TO HAVE A GOOD FURNACE FIRE 
in the morning, see if this plan of a New England man 
does not work well: At night from one shovelful to 
three of pea coal should be sprinkled on top of the 
egg coal in the furnace, and the upper or feed door 
left open several inches. By morning the finer coal 
will be burned away, having kept the house warm 
during the night, and the larger coal will be in a bright 
glow. 

A FALSE BOTTOM FOR A TRUNK 

is worth having made if one travels with heavy books 
and boxes that cannot be safely packed with dainty 
articles of wearing apparel. At a trunk factory two 
strong straps with buckles may be riveted to the bot- 
tom on each side. A false bottom, just a trifle smaller 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 65 

than the real bottom of the trunk, may be made, linecf 
with the same material with which the trunk is lined 
or something similar. All books, boxes and heavy 
articles may be packed in the bottom of the trunk and 
the false bottom or tray be tightly strapped over all ; 
then the real packing of the clothing may begin, and 
there will be no danger that the heavy articles may 
get loose. 

TO CLEAN FEATHER PILLOWS IN WINTER 

place them on the snow the first sunny day after a 
heavy snowfall. Sprinkle the pillows lightly with 
clean water first. The bright glare of the sun upon the 
snow will bleach the ticking without fading it or draw- 
ing the oil from the feathers. Turn the pillows several 
times, and if the ticking cover is badly soiled repeat 
the process for several days. 

INEXPENSIVE SAWDUST FILLING. 

A lasting and inexpensive filling for cracks and nail 
holes in floors can be made by dissolving enough glue 
in boiling water to make the thickness of table syrup, 
then add enough sawdust to form a thin paste. With 
a knife or thin paddle fill the places evenly while the 
paste is hot. This filling will not shrink, is lasting, 
and any kind of paint, stain or varnish can be used 
on it. 

GREASE ON CARPETS. 

An excellent paste for getting grease from carpets 
is made by mixing fuller's earth with ammonia and 
water. 

Apply the mixture thick ; let it remain over night, 
then remove with stiff brush. The ammonia may be 
omitted if the colors in the carpet are delicate. After 
the grease is out the colors may be freshened by sweep- 
ing with moist salt. 



66 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

CURTAINS, BEDSPREAD AND BUREAU- 
SCARF OF GINGHAM 

will make a bedroom very pretty. Use pale blue and 
white checked gingham and have the window curtains 
plain, with a valance over the top. For the bed- 
spread use white embroidery insertion where the 
breadths must be joined together down the center, 
and also at the head of the ruffle. For the bureau-scarf 
use three squares of the gingham joined together by 
the insertion, and finish the edge with a ruffle of em- 
broidery. A blue-and-white cotton rug on the floor 
will add to the attractive appearance of such a room. 
Gingham is inexpensive and launders well. 

TO CUT FURS. 

Lay fur on table, fur side down. Lay pattern, or, 
better still, mark off cutting lines with chalk. Take 
sharp knife, follow chalk lines and cut through pelt 
only. Lift gently, pull apart; simple, and no damage 
to fur as when using scissors. 

IMPROVE WORN FLOORS. 

Where there are no hardwood floors, try floor oil- 
cloth, which can be had in patterns of parquet floors 
around your carpet. Give two coats of varnish twice 
a year and it will wear splendidly. 

FILLING A FOUNTAIN PEN. 

Run cold water through the pen to clean it. 

TO CLEAN FUR RUGS. 

One quart of water, two tablespoonfuls of oxgall, 
one-half teaspoonful of borax. Remove the oilcloth or 
lining from back of rug, then soak the skin (back of 
rug) with naphtha. This will keep the skin soft and 
pliable; when perfectly dry, wet with water and rub 
with hard soap. Now put rug over a large tub (with 
the above solution in it) with hair of rug down, so that 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 67 

the hair will be in the solution, then with fingers un- 
derneath wash hair as you would wash your own hair. 
When perfectly clean rinse through a solution of half 
water and half naphtha ; this gives hair glossy appear- 
ance and helps it to curl up again. In drying squeeze 
water out of hair with hands, then have two people 
shake it. Now put sheet over two lines and pin rug 
to sheet, leaving hair hang down; dry in open air, 
comb lightly only on extreme edge. For black skin 
rugs add one pint of alcohol to the above solution. 

GOOD FURNITURE POLISH. 

Beat up the white of one egg, adding to it one gill 
of pure sweet oil, half a gill of methylated spirits and 
half a gill of vinegar. This mixture will be found 
especially good for reviving leather. 

A GOOD POLISH. 

For cleaning window glass, woodwork, polished 
furniture, even mahogany and rosewood, take one cup 
of pure cider vinegar to two gallons of soft, tepid 
water for woodwork and furniture, one and one-halt 
gallons of water for glass and mirrors. Wash with 
soft cloth and rub with old soft muslin or chamois. It 
makes common glass as brilliant as plate glass, kills 
moth eggs on woodwork and is a pure disinfectant. 

TO CHANGE FEATHERS. 

When you change the feathers from one pillow case 
to another, have pillow ticks, needle, thread and scis- 
sors all in the kitchen, with doors closed to avoid 
drafts, and have a good fire going with a large open 
kettle of boiling water on the stove to create steam. 
This prevents the feathers from blowing, and if the 
seams in the ticks are opened and sewed together be- 
fore attempting to shake from one to another, and then 
are pinned, basted and whipped, you can do the entire 



68 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

operation without losing more than ten or twelve 
feathers. 

FLOOR FILLING. 

Make a filler of plastico mixed with vinegar and a 
little paint or oil, which makes it smooth and works 
more easily. It will not shrink or crack or work out. 
With five cents' worth of plastico you can fill the floors 
of three rooms. 

FRUIT STAINS. 

Fruit stains vanish from linen if the stained spot 
is spread over a bowl and a cup of boiling water made 
milky with good soap is poured through it. 

QUAINT FIRE SCREENS. 

Draw a landscape on paper with India ink, repre- 
senting a winter scene, the foliage to be painted with 
muriate of cobalt for the green, acetate of cobalt for 
the blue and muriate of copper for the yellow, which 
when dry will be visible. Put the screen before the 
fire and the gentle warmth will cause the flowers to 
display themselves in their natural colors and winter 
will be changed to spring. When it is cool the colors 
again change and the same efifect can be reproduced 
at pleasure. 

IRISH CROCHET FRINGE. 

The ball fringe so popular for trimming sells from 
$1 to $3 a yard. By buying the cotton ball fringe for 
sale in the upholstering department and crocheting a 
covering for the little iDalls, you have the same fringe 
at seven cents. It is a simple thing to make the cov- 
ering. 

FADED FLOWERS ARE FRESHENED. 

Faded artificial flowers may be freshened with oil 
paints so they will look like new. If the flowers are 
soiled it will be advisable to clean them in clear gaso- 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 69 

line before attempting to tint them. Dip each spray 
repeatedly until the desired color is obtained, then 
shake thoroughly and dry in the open air. As a rule 
the flowers will be a shade lighter after they have 
dried than when wet. In tinting fabrics it often is 
necessary to dip the article the second time, or to in- 
crease the strength of the dye in order to secure the 
exact tone desired. The goods must be aired for sev- 
eral hours until all the odor of gasoline has disap- 
peared. Shirtwaists, drop skirts, feathers — in fact, 
almost anything may be tinted in this way at the ex- 
pense of only a few minutes' work and a few cents for 
pigments and gasoline. The results achieved will sur- 
prise the woman who is not familiar with this process. 
She will be charmed into making a regular practice of 
renovating her old garments by tinting them a new 
shade and lured to produce pretty picture costumes 
that would be entirely out of her reach without the 
help of the little tube of oil paints. 

FURNITURE CREAM. 

Three gills of turpentine, two ounces beeswax 
(brown), two ounces white wax, two drams castile 
soap, two drams borax; put wax, turpentine and soap 
on the stove to melt ; when melted mix the borax with 
a gill of boiling water and add to the other ingredients. 
This cream is not only excellent for imparting a high 
polish to furniture, but is also splendid for floors. 

FLOWER VASES FROM OVERBALANCING. 

Flower vases often overbalance when in use, for the 
flowers put into them are likely to make them top- 
heavy. This defect is easily remedied by putting bits 
of lead, shot or pebbles at the bottom of the vases. 

HANDY FLY KILLER. 

Take a small piece of screen wire and insert it in a 
slit in a stick, secured by two clenched beads, and you 



70 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

have as good a fly killer as you can buy. Hit the fly 
a sharp slap and it drops dead without being crushed. 

A FIGURE ON WHICH TO FIT WAISTS 

is a convenience few home dressmakers possess. It is 
possible, however, with but little trouble and expense 
to make a perfect duplicate of your form to use for 
fitting gowns. First of all, have a good dressmaker 
cut and fit a plain lining for you, letting it extend be- 
low the hips, and taking care that it shallhave long, 
tight-fitting sleeves and a plain high collar. Sew all 
the seams firmly and fit an oval piece at the bottom 
of the pattern. When all this has been done, rip an 
opening in one seam and stufif the form with excelsior, 
being particular to do this part well. The figure may 
now be put on a stool, the legs to be so cut off that 
the whole thing shall be exactly your height. 

TO MAKE A FUNNEL FOR TEMPORARY USE 

cut off one end of an envelope and the flap ; then cut 
a little piece from one of the lower corners, open the 
envelope, and the funnel will be ready for use. 

CARE OF WAXED FLOORS. 

Never use soap and water on waxed floors. They 
should be wiped up with a perfectly dry cloth and 
more wax rubbed into them with a woolen cloth or 
the polishing brushes that come for that purpose ; but 
do not put on more wax than the floor can absorb, 
particularly in the corners, which have not been 
walked on so much. Wash them with turpentine, 
drying them perfectly dry before applying more wax. 

USEFUL DUST CLOTHS. 

To dust polished floors and to clean blackboards, 
dampen (not wet) a soft cloth with kerosene, roll tight 
and leave for eight or twelve hours. When ready for 
use fold in a square of several thicknesses. With 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 71 

this floors and blackboards may be cleaned without 
scattering dust. 

TO GET RID OF FLIES 

sprinkle all breeding places with a mixture of crude 
petroleum and water. 

WHERE SEVERAL DAUGHTERS SHARE THE 
HOUSEWORK 

it is a good plan to have a written schedule hung in 
a convenient place, certain work being allotted to each 
one for different days. The schedule may be changed 
weekly if thought best. In this way only a fair share 
is given to each one, and each knows just how much 
spare time she will have for pleasure or for carrying 
out any plan of her own. 

WHEN MAKING EYELET EMBROIDERY 

keep your stilletto tied to the embroidery hoop by a 
piece of narrow ribbon; then you will not have to 
hunt for it when it is needed. To fasten your thread 
after making an eyelet, leave the last three stitches in 
the form of loops ; then pass your thread back through 
these loops, draw them tight, one at a time, and cut 
the thread off short. This will make a secure fasten- 
ing. 

ENVELOPES USED IN PACKING SMALL 
ARTICLES 

will be found better than boxes, as they take up less 
room. Stout, collapsible envelopes, which may be 
bought where office supplies are sold, will be found 
satisfactory. Gloves, handkerchiefs, neck arrange- 
ments, etc., may be kept nicely in such envelopes. 

ECONOMICAL ICEBOX. 

Buy one large dry-goods box and line inside with 
white oilcloth: make two shelves above and divide 



72 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

lower part in two. In the part to set the ice put a 
hole in the bottom to insert a rubber hose, about four 
or five inches long, to let the water drip through. Put 
high casters on the bottom to let the pan under; line 
the two shelves with white oilcloth ; paint the outside 
dark brown or any desired color, and put sliding 
hinges on door. 

Here is your icebox at the cost of no more than 
seventy-five cents. 

IN SOWING FINE FLOWER SEED 

they may be distributed more evenly by putting the 
seed in a salt shaker, mixing the seed first with a little 
sand. 

A FERNERY IN A FISH GLOBE 
will give pleasure all winter long. Line the bottom 
and sides of the globe, the latter only half way, with 
moss; then plant thickly with ferns and little plants 
taken from the woods ; have a round piece of glass cut 
to cover the opening of the globe, and keep the open- 
ing closed except when watering the plants, which 
will be necessary only once every two weeks. 

TO KEEP FLIES OUT OF A ROOM 

put a few drops of oil of lavender on a sponge placed 
in a saucer of hot water. This will give out a scent 
which flies dislike. If you do not wish to try it in the 
house, put the sponge on a table on the porch if the 
flies are troublesome there. 

MAKE THE FIREPLACE ATTRACTIVE IN 
SUMMER 

by havinp- a box to fit it, the box to be filled with soil 
and used to hold ferns transplanted from the woods. 
A white birch log may be cut the desired length and 
placed in front of the box to hide it. It will give the 
effect of ferns growing behind the log. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 73 

TO HAVE DOOR FIT PROPERLY. 

When doors do not close snugly, but leave cracks 
through which drafts enter, try this simple remedy: 
Place putty along the jamb, cover edge of. door with 
chalk and then close it. The putty will fill all spaces 
which would remain open and pressed out where not 
needed, while the excess may be removed with a knife. 

The chalk rubbed on the edges prevents adhesion 
and the putty is left in place, where it soon dries and 
hardens and leaves a perfectly fitting jamb. 

IF SUNDAY CANNOT BE A DAY OF REST 

for a busy housewife who finds it impossible, with the 
family all at home, to do without usual dinner, let her 
try so to adjust her work during the week that some 
other day may be her "seventh day." In this way she 
can get refreshed to do her part on Sunday. 

TO PROTECT A POLISHED DINING-TABLE 
FROM HOT DISHES 

especially w^hen the table is to be used without a 
cloth, the asbestos stovelids which, sell for a small 
sum, will prove to be excellent. Cut off the tin rim 
of the mat and cover the asbestos with two thicknesses 
of linen. 

SCRUB DYE ON CARPET. 
A faded ingrain carpet can be restored to its natural 
color by dissolving about four packages of dye in boil- 
ing water and scrubbing it with a scrub brush. 

WHEN CUTTING UP OLD CLOTHES FOR 
DUSTERS 

take a few moments to hem them on the machine with 
black or colored cotton. They will be regarded as of 
rjiuch more value by the washerwoman and will be 
returned, whereas cloths that are not hemmed are 
considered as valueless. 



74 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

DUST CATCHER. 

Put boards on your radiators, sandpaper them, and 
stain them the color of the woodwork. They will catch 
on the underside all the dirt that would otherwise rise 
from the radiators, thus protecting curtains and walls. 

CORNER DOILIES. 

Use the corner pieces which are cut off a round 
doily to make small square ones by working a small 
floral design in each half diamond, then joining the 
linen insertion and edging with inch-wide linen lace. 
They make handsome little squares to use at lunch- 
eons. 

CROCHETED DISHCLOTHS WILL <LAST 
LONGER THAN ANY OTHER KIND 

and will be found easy to clean. Crochet them in an 
open stitch about a foot square. Use a heavy white 
crochet cotton, or keep for this purpose the string that 
comes around parcels, joining them and making them 
into a ball. 

WHEN HEMMING CHILDREN'S DRESSES 

on the machine, use very fine cotton — say No. 100. 
When hems or tucks must be ripped to lengthen a 
skirt, the fine thread will be easy to rip. A quick jerk 
will put it out. 

WHEN HEMMING DISHTOWELS 

take two small pieces of tape, and when stitching the 
hems on the machine sew the tape at the center of each 
hem, putting the ends a little distance apart and turn- 
ing them with the hem. In this way you will secure 
a firm ''hanger" for each end of the towel. 

CROCHET DOILIES. 

When crocheting an edge on round luncheon doilies, 
simply turn the hem on the wrong side and baste the 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 75 

hem. Then place a large needle in the machine, leav- 
ing it unthreaded. Follow the hem carefully around 
and you will have a number of holes of sufficient size 
to insert the crocket needle and of an equal distance 
apart. Crochet the edge and when done pull out 
bastings and hem will hold and still have a neat finish 
not obtained by hand hemming. 

FOR DANDELIONS. 

A spoonful of gasoline poured into the centers of 
dandelions is a sure exterminator for these nuisances. 
With care the grass is not harmed in the least. 

PAINT DARK CLOSETS WHITE 

and it will be an easy matter to see if they are clean. 
Too many houses have dark closets in bedroom, 
kitchen, hall or bathroom. They are often overlooked 
in the weekly cleaning and are a ''thorn in the flesh'' 
of the neat housekeeper. Finish them all with white 
paint — floors, walls and shelves — and they will be an 
inspiration to cleanliness. 

AN OUTSIDE CUPBOARD 

was made by a handy woman in this way : Outside the 
kitchen window a frame was made of boards a foot 
wide; lighter boards were inserted for shelves and 
nailed fast to the sides of the frame. The entire out- 
side of this skeleton cupboard was then covered with 
wire netting. The kitchen window formed the door. 
Before and after the ice season such a cupboard will 
be found very useful for storing meat and "leftovers" 
which would spoil if left in the kitchen. 

A CONVALESCING CHILD 

may be amused in the following manner: The mother 
may play she is the physician, who is to write his 
"amusement prescription" for the day, dividing the 
time into half-hour periods. The child may know only 



76 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

one-half hour's entertainment at a time. The program 
may run as follows: 9 to 9:30, build a railroad track 
and station with blocks; 9:30 to 10, color pictures in 
an old magazine; 10 to 10:30, blow soap bubbles, etc. 

CANEBOTTOM CHAIRS. 

To clean and tighten, turn chair bottom upwards, 
and with hot water and a sponge wash the canework 
well, so that it may become completely soaked. Should 
it be necessary, use soap. Let it dry in open air or in 
a place where there is a thorough draft, and it will 
become as good as when new, provided none of the 
strips are broken. 

CARPET-SWEEPERS MAY BE CLEANED 

by using a hairbrush with wire bristles, such as may 
be bought for ten cents. The threads and dust that 
become entangled in the rollers will yield to treatment 
with the wire brush. 

TO CLEAN LAMP CHIMNEYS 

fasten to one end of a stick a sponge just large enough 
when wet to fill the chimney; dip the sponge into 
warm water and push it around the chimney; then 
remove it, and rinse the glass in warm water; polish 
with tissue paper or a cloth free of lint. 

ONE WAY TO KEEP CHILDREN COVERED AT 

NIGHT 

is to take two pieces of elastic, about half an inch to 
an inch wide and about six inches long, and fasten one 
of each piece with safetypins to the sides of the mat- 
tress near the head of the bed; fasten the other ends 
also with safetypins to the bed coverings on each side. 
There is so much "give" to the elastic that the sheets 
will not be torn by the safetypins as they would if 
they were pinned directly to the mattress. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS n 

PREVENT CURTAINS FROM BLOWING. 

Take a piece of tape six inches long and put a snap 
fastener on so as to hook the two ends together ; fasten 
the center of the tape by a small brass tack to the win- 
dow casing so that the tape when not in use hangs 
hidden by the curtain; when the window is open and 
you wish the curtain protected, simply snap the tape 
around it. 

CLEANING CARPET ON THE FLOOR. 

Take cornmeal, saturate thoroughly with gasoline, 
sprinkle quite heavily over the carpet and scrub with 
a broom. It will remove all dirt and dust, making the 
carpet look like new. Care, however, must be taken 
as to lighting matches and windows should be opened 
to air the rooms. 

CLOTHES HANGERS COVERED WITH 
RAFFIA 

put on in buttonhole stitch, will make a dainty gift 
from a girl to a friend. They never get any rust upon 
delicate material as metal hangers sometimes do, and 
are also pretty to see. Finish each with a bow of rib- 
bon. 

PROTECT CURTAINS FROM RAIN. 
Try this simple advice, which not only shields the 
curtains but also serves as a good ventilator: Secure 
a half-inch board about twelve or fourteen inches wide 
and as long as is required to fit snugly between the 
casings of the windows. In the upper corners of the 
board have screw-eyes, one on each end. On each 
side of the window casing put a screw-eye, in which 
tie cords about two feet long, and on the ends of the 
cords tie small hooks. Ordinarily these cords hang 
down by the side of the window and are concealed by 
the curtains. The board may be kept out of sight 
also. When ready for use the hooks on the cords fit 



78 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

into the screw-eyes on the sides of the board and the 
board is tilted back from the window. The window 
may then be opened as wide as the board is high. The 
slanting of the board pushes back the curtains and, 
while allowing air to enter, prevents the rain or snow 
from coming into the room. 

FILL CUSHIONS WITH FUNNEL. 
When making pincushions, especially the low and 
narrow ones, use a fruit funnel in filling. A large fun- 
nel, with opening the size of a large peach, is the best. 
Use a stick to fill out the corners; it will work the 
filling in where nothing else seems to reach. Then 
with an old-fashioned wooden potato masher to pound 
the contents firm and hard, using it after every two or 
three cupfuls of sawdust or bran are put in, you will 
find you can fill a cushion solid in much less time and 
to your own satisfaction. 

MAHOGANY CLEANERS. 

Wash the piece of furniture with a soft cloth wet 
in cold water, then dry it. Take an old soft flannel or 
chamois and rub it briskly, and your furniture will 
shine like new and remain so, improving each time it 
is dusted. 

GILD BIRD CAGE. 

If the bird cage has tarnished or is an old painted 
cage, just let birdie out in a closed room for a while 
and give the cage a coat of gilding inside and one out- 
side, and it will look like a new brass cage. The gilt 
dries quickly. Do not put it on too thick or it will 
look lumpy. 

TO KEEP CLOTH CLEAN AT A CHILD'S 
PLACE 

at the table, thin white oiled paper spread under the 
child's plate and extending a little way beyond will 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 79 

serve and will not be very noticeable, especially if it 
is bought in sheets and the pieces are cut and laid 
smoothly on the cloth. When a piece of paper is soiled 
it may be burned and another piece substituted for it. 

WHEN MAKING COOKIES 

try rolling them directly upon greased sheets of tin 
on which they can be baked. Have a tinsmith cut the 
pieces of tin as large as your oven will hold. After 
rolling out the dough, score the surface of parallel 
lines. The moment one of the sheets of tin is taken 
from the oven, cut into oblong pieces the cookies that 
are on it and slide them off the tin. 

WHEN CEDAR TREES ARE BEING CUT DOWN 

pick up the chips to put in closets and trunks to pre- 
vent moths from coming. At this season and later 
farmers are often clearing up their grounds, cutting 
down trees for firewood or fences; hence cedar chips 
are available in many places. 

TO PREVENT CASTORS DROPPING. 

If you are troubled with having your castors drop, 
as is the case where you use gas, invert your chair, 
table or whatever it may be, run melted sealing wax in 
the hole, insert the castor, and it will be as substantial 
as ever. 

BUYING CARPET FOR STAIRS. 

Always buy an extra yard of stair carpet. It can 
then be shifted up or down a little every time it is 
taken up, so that it wears evenly, otherwise the part 
over the treads will be worn completely through 
while the uprights are as good as new. The surplus 
can be folded under at the top or bottom. Just try it. 
You will be delighted to find your carpet wear twice as 
long and will not begin to look much worn till it is 
about gone, as it is all used alike. 



80 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

BY USING A CARPET-SWEEPER WITH ONE 

HAND 

and carrying in the other hand a child's broom, it is 
easy to dislodge dust or crumbs lying close to the legs 
of furniture or in corners, and at the same time to 
avoid harmful collision with the furniture and the 
sweeper. 

CIGAR GLASSES FOR PRESERVES. 

At any cigar stand may be procured cigar receptacles 
in which cigars are packed. These are especially nice 
for preserves, marmalades and pineapples canned 
whole. Each one holds one and a half quarts and can 
be made airtight with paraffine. 

TO WHIP CREAM. 

When whipped cream is required and a beater is not 
at hand, the cream should be cooled in a fruit jar or a 
wide-mouthed bottle placed near the ice. When 
wanted it should be shaken and will be found an ex- 
cellent substitute for the whipped cream. 

COVERING COOK BOOKS WITH WAXED 
PAPER 

will help the young housekeeper to keep her new 
kitchen library in good condition. Cover them as you 
would if ordinary paper were used, folding the cor- 
ners neatly. The books will be well protected, and at 
the same time the lettering on the back and sides will 
show clearly through the paper. 

MORE CLOSET SPACE MAY BE GAINED 

by tacking a strip of denim, ticking or other heavy 
material about four inches wide all around the closet 
just below the clothes hooks. To this pin your skirts. 
Fold each skirt band and pin through it to the denim. 
In this way you will make sure that the skirt will 
hang flat. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 81 

NARROW ELASTIC FOR TRANSOM CURTAINS 

will be found satisfactory where there are no rods. 
The elastic is better than cord, as it prevents the cur- 
tain from sagging in the center. 

DYED UNBLEACHED MUSLIN FOR WINDOW 
CURTAINS 

were a great success in one home. The color desired 
was dark green, and the curtains hung in straight 
lengths at each side, covered by a valance over white 
muslin curtains hung next to the glass. These gave 
an excellent effect in the green-and-white room. 

CANDLE ENDS AND PARAFFINE 

may be used to fill cracks in the woodwork of an old 
house. Save all the pieces of candles and the paraf- 
fiine tops from jelly glasses and keep them in an old 
coffee-pot. When there is enough wax to melt, put the 
coffee-pot on the stove for a little while and pour out 
the hot wax into the cracks to be filled. If this is done 
around the kitchen sink, where there may be cracks 
in the woodwork, it will help to keep away waterbugs. 

CIRCULAR CENTERPIECES. 

To cut circular centerpieces of any size, use plates, 
vegetable dishes or pans of any kind; simply place 
them on a cloth and mark around them with a pencil. 

TO PROTECT COSMOS FROM EARLY FROST, 

drive two tall stakes in the ground at each end of the 
row of plants; then stretch a clothesline between the 
stakes, and at night throw an old sheet or other large 
cloth over the line. In this way the blooming period 
may be prolonged considerably. 

USES FOR CIGAR ASHES. 

Cigar ashes are splendid when used as a tooth pow- 
der; when sprinkled plentifully into furs before stor- 



82 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

ing; when placed about the roots of potted plants to 
kill the insects. 

CURTAINS OF CRASH TOWELING 

are very effective, being especially adapted for libraries 
or rooms with Mission furniture, the coarser the bet- 
ter. Faggot together loosely as many strips of the 
crash as you need for width; then dye the crash the 
color of the wallpaper or a shade to blend with the 
color scheme of the room. Portieres may be made to 
match. 

IMPROVISED CEDAR CHEST. 

Utilize old cigar boxes by taking them apart and 
lining a large box or chest with them to make a moth- 
proof box. The wood is cedar, which is saturated with 
the odor of tobacco, making it doubly secure against 
moths. 

HELP IN CLEANING. 

Let me call housekeepers' attention to what is 
known as steel wool, which is extensively used in 
Europe for cleaning purposes. The same resembles 
curled hair and does excellent work, cleaning and 
scrubbing hardwood floors, kitchen utensils, sinks and 
bathtubs, etc. ; also for rubbing down paint and wood- 
work of all kinds. 

WHEN A CLOCK STOPS 

take it down, screw off the back, blow in it to take out 
some of the dust; see that the pendulum is straight; 
have a little kerosene in a cup, dip a straw in the oil 
so that one drop will adhere to it ; apply the oil to the 
frame where the axle comes through, putting about 
one drop on each axle at the back and face of works; 
also put two drops on a small wheel where the 
pendulum swings from ; screw on back, set clock back 
in place, start it, and it will run for a year or two. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 83 

CRACKERS WITH SOUP. 

Crackers to be served with soup or cheese should be 
heated and brought at once to the table. Unless they 
are very thin they should be divided and buttered 
before going into the oven when eaten with celery 
or cheese. 

A CHIFFONIER FOR THE BABY'S CLOTHES 

was made by a handy man. It was small, yet large 
enough to be of great use to the mother. There were 
three small drawers for the baby's clothes, and on the 
top were kept the baby's basket and toilet articles. 
The piece of furniture was painted white and was a 
great addition to the room. 

CEMENT FOR GLASS, 

The formula for aquarium cement recommended by 
the United States fish commission is as follows: 

''Stir together by weight eight parts of pulverized 
putty (dry whiting), one part red lead and one part 
litharge. Mix as it is needed for use with pure lin- 
seed-oil to the consistency of putty. Allow it to dry a 
week before using." 

TO PUT RODS THROUGH CURTAINS. 

After sash curtains have been laundered it is hard 
to get the rods in without tearing the curtains. Try 
running a closed safety-pin through first. 

CURTAIN FOR HALL OR BATHROOM. 

A pretty curtain for the hall or bathroom window is 
made from a piece of floor matting (a pretty design) 
the size of the window or door, as the case may be. 
Tack one selvedge edge to the top of the window or 
middle way, wherever you choose, and cut the lower 
edge off about one-half inch ; cut the warp that weaves 
the matting, and unravel it the length of the window, 



84 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

leaving two threads at the top to hold it in place. It 
hangs full, and anyone from the outside cannot see 
in, but the insiders can look out. Try it. 

CORNMEAL TO CLEAN FUR RUGS. 

Cornmeal does wonders for the handsome fur rug 
that is beginning to look "ratty.'' The meal must be 
well rubbed into the fur and allowed to remain for 
several hours. Later brush out the meal with a whisk- 
broom and give the final touches to the rug with a 
soft brush. Sometimes it is necessary to go through 
the process twice, but the result amply repays one 
for the labor expended, 

COVERS FOR THE TRAYS OF TRUNKS 

may be made of dimity, dotted Swiss, cheesecloth, 
China silk or any other thin material. Cut them the 
size of a tray, allowing for a two-inch hem and an 
inch to tuck in. Featherstitch the hem with cotton or 
silk to match the material. A set of these covers, to 
be laid over the trays after the trunk is packed, makes 
a pretty and acceptable gift for a June bride. 

TO PREVENT CLOTHES FROM GETTING 
CRUSHED 

in one end of a trunk, take wide tape and fasten it in 
three rows perpendicularly on each end of the trunk; 
also fasten one or two rows horizontally across the 
others; pin dresses securely to these tapes and they 
will keep steady without getting crushed at all. 

TAKE A CANDLE IN YOUR BAG 

and a box of safety matches. When they are wanted 
you will be glad they were put in. The space required 
for them is small. A passenger on a steamer that was 
wrecked had a small candle, which enabled her to col- 
lect some of her most valuable possessions when th^ 
lights went out after the collision. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 85 

LABEL ALL WATER-PIPE STOPCOCKS IN 
THE CELLAR 

so that in case of accident there will be no difficulty 
in turning off the right one quickly. Write plainly 
on package tags such guides as "Cold water in 
kitchen" or "Hot water in china closet," and tie the 
tags on the pipes close by the stopcocks. It is also 
well to fasten to the wall near the water and gas 
meters full directions for turning off the supply of 
water and gas from the entire house in an emergency. 

CURTAINS MAY BE KEPT FROM BLOWING 
OUT OF THE WINDOWS 

if you place lead or iron weights in the corners. Thin 
iron washers are good, as they are not heavy enough 
to make the curtains sag. They may be covered with 
the same material and placed in either the hem or cor- 
ners. 

TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF CLOTH 

POSTS 

paint them dark green and plafit nasturtiums around 
them, using green cord to help the vines around the 
posts. The vines do not grow tall enough to interfere 
with the cloths or clotheslines. 

WHERE CURTAINS HAVE SHRUNK AFTER 
WASHING 

and are to be fastened at top and bottom with rods, 
run the rods through the top hem and fasten securely ; 
then dampen the goods with a wet sponge or clean 
cloth, and you will be able to fasten the lower rod. 
Let the material dry on the rods. 

KEEP IN THE ATTIC A CHARITY BOX 

where outgrown clothes, old toys or other articles past 
household use may be placed. When a call comes for 



86 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

some article of clothing there will be no necessity to 
hunt all over the house for something to give away. 

TO MAKE CANDLES BURN BRIGHTLY 

roll them in fine salt and put them on the ice for a few 
minutes. If wax, warm them slightly before rolling 
in salt. 

IF THE BED IS COLD. 

If you get cold in the night, lie flat on the back, arms 
by the sides, and stretch to full length. The blood 
will immediately circulate better and you will become 
warm. 

PREVENT CHINA BREAKING. 

When packing dishes and glassware always use 
newspapers. First place in bottom of barrel or basket 
a thick layer of newspaper; then roll each article in 
paper, place it neatly in barrel, stuff paper in between 
and around so that the dishes cannot move ; then place 
another layer of paper, and so on until full. Have 
packed some fine china in this way and never had a 
breakage. 

CLEAN CARPETS ON FLOOR. 

To clean carpets on the floor make into suds a good 
laundry soap; add to every gallon of suds a cup of 
gasoline; for all wool carpets put in two or three 
spoonfuls of ammonia; proceed to rub the carpet as if 
it were a floor, refraining from using too much water. 
Scrub a small spot at a time, thoroughly rinsing it 
with a clean cloth wet in clean water. Clean with a 
dry cloth. The windows and doors should be left 
open if possible until the carpet is dry. 

CARE OF MATTING. 

To preserve mattings covering any floor, as well as 
to keep perfectly sanitary, bright and new looking, go 
over floor first with a damp cloth. Let dry thorough- 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 87 

ly, then give same a thin coat of clear varnish. Worth 
knowing for spring or fall housecleaning. 

INEXPENSIVE CURTAINS. 

Take common cheesecloth the desired length and 
hem or hemstitch an inch and a half hem at end and 
one side. Draw a design and transfer with impres- 
sion paper to the curtain. Paint, using tube paint 
mixed with banana oil to keep from spreading beyond 
lines. 

INCREASE CLOSET EFFICIENCY. 

Inexpensive, easily made, great space saver. Have 
at hand two feet of small curtain pole, one dozen brass 
cup hooks, three small brass eyes and one hook to fit 
same, and two and a half feet small link brass chain. 
Screw the twelve hooks along the pole and the other 
hook at one end of pole and one eye to the other end, 
to which attach chain ; put second eye in wall at con- 
venient reach and hook pole to same; fasten free end 
of chain to third eye and screw in wall above other 
eye, holding pole out in straight horizontal line. When 
not in use pole may be unhooked and hung beside 
wall. 

PROTECTION FOR BUREAU TOP. 

A large sheet of blotting paper will protect the top 
of a bureau if placed under the white cover, besides 
making a pretty lining of any designed cover. 

TO STRETCH CURTAINS. 

For one who has no curtain stretcher, if you will 
leave the pole in one end of curtain and the other end 
firmly to clothes line, you will be surprised to find how 
nicely your curtains will look. 

CHINA CEMENT. 

Dissolve a little gum arable in a little warm water 
so that it is rather thick ; put in enough plaster paris 



88 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

to make a thick paste; cement broken parts together, 
and in half an hour they cannot be broken in the same 
place. Hot water seems to make it more firm. 

CANE CHAIR HELP. 

If the cane seat of a chair has sagged, turn it upside 
down, soak the under side of the cane with hot water, 
set in the sunlight and the cane goes back in its place. 

KEEP A LONG CROCHET NEEDLE IN THE 
BATHROOM 

to draw from the wastepipes any thread or hairs that 
tend to stop the outflow of the water. 

A CHERRY PITTER 

may be made by hammering the pointed ends of a new 
long hairpin into a good sized cork. By holding the 
cork in the hand and pressing the rounded end of the 
hairpin against the cherries, the stone and stem can 
be forced out at the same time without crushing the 
fruit. 

CARE OF A CHAMOIS DUSTER. 
Wring chamois out of warm water (not hot) almost 
dry and rub dusty furniture. This will remove dust 
and all finger marks and make furniture look like new. 
Rinse the chamois in the warm water frequently while 
using, and when through wash thoroughly in warm 
water containing a little ammonia. This will keep it 
from getting hard. 

UNBLEACHED MUSLIN CURTAINS. 
Pretty curtains can be made of unbleached muslin, 
stenciled with oil paints. To set the color, thin the 
paints with turpentine, vinegar and lemon extract 
with the following proportions: To three ounces of 
turpentine add twelve drops of vinegar and four drops 
of lernon extract. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 89 

When the curtains are finished, press with a warm 
iron. Before laundering soak over night in salt water, 
wash with a white soap; do not boil; starch and iron 
before entirely dry. 

TO DRY A CLOSET. 

A damp closet or cupboard is liable to cause mildew. 
Place in it a saucer full of quick lime, and it will not 
only absorb all apparent dampness, but sweeten and 
disinfect the space. Renew the lime once a fortnight. 
If the place be very damp, renew it as often as it be- 
comes slake. Lime may be used for the same purposes 
in outbuildings. 

A HELP IN HANGING CLOTHES TO DRY IN 
COLD WEATHER 

is to have at hand a folding clotheshorse, with rope 
instead of wooden bars, to connect the wooden stand- 
ards. All the small articles of clothing may be pinned 
to the rope with clothespins in the house, and the 
clotheshorse taken outdoors and placed in the sun- 
shine. When the clothing is dried the horse may be 
brought indoors and the articles taken ofif. 

Another way is to have in the kitchen two hooks 
to which to fasten a piece of clothesline having a 
loop at each end. Outdoors have hooks on posts ex- 
actly the same distance apart as those in the house. 
Put up the line indoors and hang up the clothes ; then 
take it down, carry it out in the basket and put the 
line, with the clothes still pinned on it, over the out- 
door hook. Do not have the line too long or it will 
be too heavy to carry when the garments are wet. 

CREEPING CARPET CURE. 

When my Axminster and Brussels carpets were re- 
turned from the cleaner's they were so flimsy that 
every mov^ made they curled up. I bought five cents' 



90 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

worth of gelatine and put in a pail of paste such as 
paper-hangers use. Then laid the carpets face down 
on the floor, took paste brush and went all over the 
back, letting stay still dry and now my carpets are 
like new. This is splendid for small rugs, too. 

PRETTY COMFORTERS MAY BE KEPT CLEAN 

by making a case about fourteen inches wide of dotted 
Swiss, or any other washable material, to slip over the 
end use at the head of the bed. Finish the edge that 
comes across the comforter with a ruffle or feather- 
stitch the hem and baste the slip to the comforter. 
This slip may be easily taken off and laundered. 

WHEN MAKING COMFORTERS FOR THE 
BEDS 

it is an excellent plan to use mosquito netting as the 
first cover to enclose the cotton batting, tacking it in 
place and then putting on the pretty outside cover, 
tieing this on with narrow ribbon. When the outside 
cover becomes soiled it is an easy matter to remove it 
and have it washed. 

CARPET CLEANER. 

To one bar of white soap cut fine in a gallon of 
water, let it boil until dissolved; add one ounce of 
ether and use with scrub brush, and take clear warm 
water and cloth to wipe off suds. Will renew all colors 
and make goods like new. 

THE NOISE OF DISH-WASHING MAY BE 
LESSENED 

by placing the draining dishes and the silver on a 
heavy Turkish towel kept for that purpose. When 
washing cut-glass or fine china the use of a towel in 
the bottom of the pan will often save the dishes from 
chipping and breaking. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 91 

TO MAKE ECRU CURTAINS. 

Dissolve turmeric powder, one tablespoonful to a 
gallon of water. After white curtains are thoroughly 
cleaned boil in this solution a few minutes. 

KEEP A SOFT DUSTCLOTH IN THE APRON 

POCKET 

so as to be ready to remove any dust that may be seen 
in going about the house in the morning. This saves 
time and makes less work, as often the piano or table 
looks dusty when the rest of the room is in good order. 

TO LENGTHEN BLANKETS. 

If blankets are too short during cold weather sew a 
piece of canton flannel to one end for the *'tuck in.'' 

MAKE BLANKETS WEAR BETTER. 

The loose or open folds of double blankets are in- 
variably put at the head of the bed. Consequently 
they wear out sooner than if changed about. This 
week put the loose or open fold at the head, next week 
put that end at the foot of the bed, and the blankets 
will wear evenly and give longer service. 

MAKE BLANKET STRETCHER. 

A suggestion for drying and stretching blankets by 
which, if followed out, new blankets will never shrink 
and old ones that have shrunk can be made several 
inches longer. Have a frame made like a lace curtain 
frame, except longer and wider, say about eighteen 
feet long and fifteen feet for end pieces. A piece to 
support the center is important to keep blankets from 
sagging in the center. A frame made exactly like a 
curtain stretcher, except larger, with long slots at 
corners with screw to slip, can be used for larger or 
smaller articles, lace curtains, etc. Pins placed on 
sides and ends should be heavier than ordinary. 



92 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

PROTECT BUREAU TOP. 

Buy a remnant of oilcloth and cut just to fit top of 
bureau. It will save many scars and scratches, and in 
case of liquid being turned over will protect the polish. 

TO USE OLD BLANKETS. 

If blankets are exceedingly large ones they may be 
cut in half for table pads. One needs something that 
will hold heat. Here is the way that a blanket may 
be suited to the purpose. Lay your blanket on the 
table and cut off that which is necessary, allowing one 
inch for hem, and after hemming it you will have a 
cheap table pad as good as if you had bought new 
padding. 

BED MAKING. 

It matters not how handsome the appointments of 
the room, how soft and luxurious the carpet, how fine 
and white the linen, if the bed is poorly and loosely 
made it gives the whole apartment an untidy look 
that no amount of elegance can atone for. In good bed 
making one of the first requisites is a perfect adapta- 
tion of mattress and springs to the bedstead. And 
next, a well-made mattress, whether it be of hair, wool, 
moss or excelsior, and over this a ''puff" or mattress 
cover, made of thin, unbleached cotton cloth, that can 
be bought for a few cents a yard, containing large 
rolls of cotton, tied with tidy cotton, having the ''puif s" 
large enough to tuck under the sides of the mattress 
to avoid curling under the sheet. 

CARE FOR THE BROOM. 

Screw into the handle end of the broom a screw 
with ring on end, such as is found on back of pictures 
to fasten the wire through, then keep hung up on a 
nail. This will not only preserve the shape of the 
broom, but keep it clean as well. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 93 

BROOM HOLDER. 

Take two large empty spools and naU them in some 
convenient place just far enough apart to let the broom 
handle in. Turn the brush up and you will have a 
fine, inexpensive receptacle. 

PRETTY COVERINGS FOR A BED ROOM 

may be made of heavy unbleached muslin. For the 
bedspread buy cloth of double width to avoid a seam 
in the middle. Turn a two-inch hem and hem lightly 
by hand. Then, from soft colored cretone or sateen 
cut wreaths of flowers or sprays and apply them to 
the cotton in any way that appeals to your taste. If 
wreaths are used, one in each corner, and a light, trail- 
ing design in the center will be enough. Curtains and 
pillows, as well as bureau covers, may be made to 
match. The materials are cheap, but by using good 
judgment the young housekeeper may make most at- 
tractive furnishings for her bedroom. 

MARK THE BED LINEN FOR EACH ROOM 

in some distinctive way, either by the initials of the 
person occupying the room or by some tiny device, a 
star for one, a circle for another ; or a red mark for one 
room and a blue for another. It is a great help when 
assorting sheets and pillow cases, particularly where 
many beds are used. 

A BED FOR BABY WHILE TRAVELING 

may be made of a Japanese straw telescope traveling 
case. Line the bottom piece as prettily as you please 
and tack a little flounce around the edge of the top, 
letting it hang over the outside. This flounce may be 
folded back in the case when the cover is put on. Put 
a little mattress, a pillow and some coverings in the 
case and you will have a very comfortable bed. When 
the baby is wide awake all his belongings may be car- 



94 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

ried in the case, the cover being strapped on. When 
the baby is occupying the little bed, all the clothing, 
etc., may be placed in the cover. 

CARRYING A BOOK WHEN TRAVELING 

may be made an easier task by taking inch-wide black 
elastic and making two bands, one to pass around the 
ends and the other around the sides. Sew these to- 
gether at the point of intersection on each side. The 
hand may then be slipped under the elastic and the 
book easily carried. 

STOP BED CREAKING. 

To those who have wooden beds it is worth while 
to know that the squeaking of the bed, that so often 
seems impossible to stop, can be effectually remedied 
by wrapping the slats that hold the springs in wet 
newspaper. Try the worst case and you will be de- 
lighted with the result. 

CLEAN BRASS, 

Salt and soda will clean tarnished brass and will 
sometimes clean tarnished silver. 

KEEP HOT WATER BAG. 

When a hot water bag is emptied there is always a 
little moisture left inside and one will notice that the 
inner sides cling together, which is not well for the 
bag. After emptying blow hard into the bag, quickly 
screw in the stopple and your bag, being slightly in- 
flated, will draw quickly inside and you will find that 
the rubber will last much longer. 

A CRUST OF BREAD. 

A crust of bread put into the water in which greens 
are boiled will absorb all objectionable rankness of 
flavor. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 95 

BASKETS MADE OF SWEET GRASS MAY BE 
KEPT CLEAN 

by carefully wiping them with a damp cloth. This 
advice came straight from an Indian woman. The 
dampness also brings out a delightful fresh odor. 

A PAPER BAG FOR WILD FLOWERS 

will keep them fresh until you reach home, so before 
taking a short trip to the woods provide yourself with 
one. Put the flowers in this and fold the top over two 
or three times, thus excluding light and air. If the 
flowers have grown in moist places sprinkle them be- 
fore closing the bag. 

OLD HOT WATER BAGS SHOULD NOT BE 
THROWN AWAY 

as they make excellent linings for sponge cases or for 
bags in which to carry bath or tooth brushes when 
traveling. Cover the rubber with any bright material 
from the piece-bag, or with colored linen. Small pieces 
of the rubber cut three inches and one-half by one and 
a half, and sewed with white thread, make good finger- 
stalls to put on when paring fruits and vegetables. 
They are easily cleaned and may be used a long time. 
Another good use for the old hot-water bag is to cut 
round mats from the sides, to place under house plants. 
Such mats will prevent the moisture from the earthen- 
ware saucer from injuring polished surfaces. 

USEFUL FOR THE BABY. 

This will prove a great boon to mothers whose 
babies get uncovered in the night. Take a pair of 
children's side elastics, pin them around the corner 
post of the crib and fasten the hooks on the sheet 
or spread. The elastic keeps them covered, yet gives 
enough room for them to turn over. 



96 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

IN THE BATHROOM. 

For porcelain bath tubs and galvanized wash tubs 
there is nothing better than kerosene. Use a small 
brush when dirty. It will remove all gummy sub- 
stances that so often gather around the edge of the 
tub. 

TO CLEAN BRASS 
or copper, dip cloth in vinegar and then in common 
table salt and rub article to be cleaned. Pour boiling 
water over it and wipe dry. 

TO PUT TWO BEDS IN ONE ROOM 

was a problem one mother had to solve. The apartment 
was so small that two iron cribs could not be placed in 
the room allotted to them in such a manner as to allow 
easy moving about. The solution of the puzzle was 
an arrangement like the lower and upper berth of a 
stateroom. A wooden frame was made slightly larger 
than the outside measurements of one of the cribs. 
This was fastened securely to the wall in a corner of 
the room, about three feet above the top of the crib. 
Slats were placed across the frame, and on them were 
put a set of springs and a mattress. The older child 
took the upper berth, and a strip of wood, which could 
be removed at will, was placed in front of it to guard 
against his falling out. The bed for the younger child 
was a regular crib pushed beneath the *'berth." The 
whole was draped with dimity hangings from a curtain 
pole above the upper bed. 

A BOX FOR CHILDREN'S TOYS 

will be much more useful if two strips of wood an inch 
and a half wide are nailed across the bottom of a box, 
one at each end, and a small castor is put in each of 
the four corners. When picking up the toys the box 
may be shoved around the room, and when empty of 
toys it serves as a little wagon. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 97 

A BATH-ROBE AND BATH-TOWEL 

hanging on hooks on the inside of the closet door in 
the guest-room, and a pair of bath slippers at the bed- 
side will be appreciated by the guest. 

USE PLENTY OF BLOTTING PAPER 

when stenciling if you want the most satisfactory re- 
sults. Many handsome pieces of material are ruined 
by a failure to place enough pads of blotting-paper 
under the goods during the process of stenciling. 

THICK BLOTTING-PAPER UNDER DOILIES 

will keep hot dishes from marking a polished table. 
The blotting-paper should be cut the same size as the 
various doilies. It takes the place of asbestos mats. 

THE STRAIN ON BUTTONHOLES OF BOYS' 
TROUSERS 

may be relieved in this way : Instead of sewing on the 
back waistband as usual, sew only the ends, and then 
attach it to the garments by three long elastic tapes. 
The elastic will give when a boy is stooping over or 
climbing, and the buttonhole will not tear out, as it is 
likely to do in the old way. 

NUMBERED BRASS TACKS FOR FLY-SCREENS 

may be bought at hardware stores and will be found 
useful when putting away the screens after the sum- 
mer is over. Two tacks with the same number should 
be bought; one to be put on the screen, the other to 
be fastened to the window-sill where the screens be- 
long. If this is done in the autumn there will be no 
trouble in sorting the screens next spring. 

TO KEEP THE BABY'S BOTTLE WARM AT 
NIGHT. 

Cover a hot-water bag with a bag made of outing 
flannel, in which there should be a pocket about the 



98 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

size of a nursing bottle. When going to bed fill the 
nursing-bottle as usual and place it in the pocket; 
then fill the hot-water bag with hot water and put it 
at the bottom of the baby's crib, covering it with a 
blanket. When the baby wakes in the night for his 
bottle the milk will be ready in an instant. 

PIECE-BAGS WHICH SUGGEST THEIR 
CONTENTS 

may be made as follows : For the white pieces make 
a bag of white cotton or muslin ; for the woolen pieces 
a bag of outing flannel ; a gingham bag will suggest 
wash goods ; a bag of cambric will be good for pieces 
of lining, and one of silk for silk pieces. These bags 
may be hung from hooks in either the sewing-room 
closet or the store-room, and much hunting for pieces 
will be avoided by adopting this systematic method. 

BE YOUR OWN PLUMBER. 

When, owing to rust and wear, the nut becomes too * 
loose to stay on the bolt and hold the cistern pump- 
handle and plunger together, for extremity's sake 
wind a small wire around the thread of the bolt suf- 
ficiently and then with pliers pull tight and twist the 
ends. The wire so put on will hold securely for many 
months. 

LANTERNS MADE FROM BERRY-BASKETS 

are very pretty for lighting a lawn or porch. Six straw- 
berry baskets are required for one lantern. One bas- 
ket forms the bottom ; four more placed at right angles 
to this are fastened by their rims to the rim of the 
bottom basket ; the sixth basket, bottom up, makes the 
top. The baskets are fastened together by tieing 
string. A nail put through the bottom basket makes 
a good candle-holder. The wood of the baskets is so 
thin that the light shines through it as well as through 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 99 

the openings. To make the lanterns more effective 
they may be dipped in a bright-colored shingle stain. 

PROVIDE SOME AMUSEMENT FOR 
CHILDREN 

on a long journey and secure their comfort, your own 
and that of other passengers. A little thought before- 
hand and a little expense will make the children forget 
the long ride. Paper dolls and paper soldiers, with 
scissors, paste and blankbooks will give entertainment. 
An envelope containing furniture advertisements, col- 
lected in odd moments, will keep the children busy, if 
they can use the cheap scrapbook as the house to be 
furnished. Pencils and crayons and blocks of writing 
paper will also provide amusement. 

TO CLEAN BRASS OR NICKEL. 

To clean brass or nickel faucets or brass chandeliers 
use whiting mixed with ammonia to form a liquid 
paste. 

REFINISH BATHROOM. 

If a woman is willing to do a little work and pay a 
little money an old bathroom may be made to look 
bright and inviting. Cover your walls with glazed 
paper representing tiles. Paint the woodwork white. 
The floors should be covered with linoleum. To the 
bathtub a coat of white paint can be applied. A nickel 
towel rack and clean white curtains add finishing 
touches and the whole efifect is that of a modern 
bathroom. 

MAKING UP ONE BED AS IF IT WERE TWO 

is something which can be done without much ti'ouble. 
If, for example, two boys who have to occupy the 
same bed have different opinions as to the proper 
bed clothes, suit them both by doing this : When mak- 
ing the bed put the lower sheet on as usual; then 



100 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

provide two single sheets, as narrow as can be con- 
veniently used, and single blankets. These may be 
spread smoothly on the bed, and one outside covering 
will make the bed look neat during the day. At night, 
when the outside spread has been removed, each 
sleeper has his own coverings, allowing each the oppor- 
tunity to use just what he desires. 

POWDERED ARSENIC. 

Arsenic, in powder or solution, sprinkled on carpets 
or rugs under heavy furniture, will keep away moths. 

TO EXTERMINATE ANTS. 

Get a large sponge, wash it and squeeze it dry. This 
will leave the cells open. Sprinkle the sponge with 
some white sugar and place it where the ants are 
troublesome. When it seems filled with insects drop 
it into a basin of hot water. Wash the sponge and 
set the trap again. The ants will soon be exterminated. 
Another way to catch the very small ants that are so 
troublesome in some houses is to have a piece of bacon 
rind in a saucer. The ants will be attracted to it. Scald 
the rind often and the ants will soon disappear. 

CLEAR THE AIR. 

Any disagreeable odor in the room in which a sick 
person is kept may be obviated by putting a few drops 
of oil of lavender in a cup of hot water. The steam 
which arises from the cup will be refreshening and 
fragrant. 

ANOTHER ANT EXTERMINATOR. 

Purchase 5 cents' worth of cream of tartar emetic 
from your druggist. To one tablespoonful of powder 
add one-third tablespoonful of sugar and moisten with 
a little water. Put it on a shelf or any place where 
ants are found. A few will eat it and leave and not 
return. Powder will dry, but can be moistened again 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 101 

and left in place until ants entirely disappear. One 
day is sufficient. 

CLEANING ALUMINUM. 

Olive oil as a cleaner for aluminum-ware cannot be 
beaten. This hint is especially good for the aluminum 
lined fireless cookers. After using the cooker wash, 
dry and rub with cloth saturated with the olive oil. 
It will keep the aluminum bright and free from rust. 
Olive oil cleans leather also. Apply with soft cloth, 
let stand a few minutes and polish with a flannel. 

HAVING APRONS TO MATCH HER WORKING 
DRESSES 

is an idea which has been adopted by a woman who, 
after trying all sorts of gowns, has settled upon the 
regulation nurse's dress as the best for her purpose. 
She gets the dresses ready made, sending to depart- 
ment stores for them, and buying also several yards 
of the same material as the dresses. She makes kitchen 
aprons of the extra material, fitting them carefully, 
and having well-shaped bibs with straps over the 
shoulders. Having a number of aprons she can al- 
ways look neat ; and as they match the dress they are 
not conspicuous. 

APRONS OF UNBLEACHED COTTON 

are both pretty and serviceable. They are useful when 
one has the care of a baby, or they make good kitchen 
aprons. They may be made of one forty-inch breadth 
of the cloth, should have a two-inch hem, be gathered 
into a belt with strings, and have pockets. 



KITCHEN 



ICE BOX HINTS. 

Wash ice thoroughly. 

Wash shelves, tubes, top, sides and bottom of chest 
as well as the pan underneath in soapsuds, and rinse 
well in hot water in which is dissolved one tablespoon- 
ful of bicarbonate of soda to one gallon of water. Wipe 
dry, and allow chest to cool before putting in the ice. 

Keep the strong foods, such as breakfast bacon, 
cheese, cold cabbage, onions, cooked or fresh, in cov- 
ered glass fruit jars. Also cream and milk. Cover 
tightly. Remember that butter and milk absorb all 
these odors. This is also a great saving of space. 

Never put food in the ice box until it becomes per- 
fectly cold. If not allowed to cool, the steam caused 
will permeate the chest and the contents will become 
strong and spoil in spite of all the ice in the refrig- 
erator. 

Allow meats and gravies and beans (dried) to cool 
uncovered, and they will keep sweet much longer. 

If these rules are followed, your ice box will never 
have a strong, unpleasant odor, and the health of the 
family will be maintained. Nothing is more conducive 
to ill health, especially stomach and bowel disorders, 
than a poorly cared for ice chest. 

ICE HELP. 

To keep a plate or bowl from slipping off of the ice 
in the ice chest, first put one thickness of newspaper 

103 



104 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

on the ice, and any vessel can then be placed on it with 
perfect safety, as it will not slip. 

ODORS IN ICE BOX. 

Burn a paper in the refrigerator and it will remove 
all odors. 

GAS RANGE. 

Paint your gas range, all but top, twice a year with 
aluminum paint. It is so easily kept clean. 

HAM HINT. 

Ham that is boiled in a bag and kept in it will 
remain moist and tender to the last slice. The greasy 
bag excludes the air. 

CUTTING VEGETABLES. 

Cutting onions, turnips, and carrots across the fiber 
makes them more tender when cooked. 

COOKING FISH. 

A few drops of vinegar added to the water in which 
fish has been cooked will make the meat white and 
finer. 

WHEN COOKING VEGETABLES. 

To have onions and turnips free from strong taste, 
change the water several times while cooking. 

HOW TO MAKE VINEGAR. 

Fourteen pounds of dark brown sugar, ten gallons of 
soft water, two yeast cakes dissolved in one cupful of 
warm water, and two slices of toasted bread. Boil 
sugar in one-third of the water and skim. Remove 
from the fire, add cold water, strain into a keg, stir 
with a stick every day or a week. Then tack a gauze 
over the top of keg. Put in a warm place for six 
months, when it is ready for use. A good time to start 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 105 

it is in May, and it will be ready for use in November. 
This is a tested recipe. 

KEEPING VEGETABLES FRESH. 

Wash your green vegetables, such as lettuce and 
spinach, inclose in a covered dish and let stand. Vege- 
tables treated in this manner will keep fresh for days. 

CLEANING VEGETABLES. 

After washing green vegetables put two or three 
teaspoonfuls of vinegar in the next water. This draws 
out any insects which may be hidden in the leaves and 
leaves the vegetables crisp and fresh. 

VINEGAR IN HOT LARD. 

A spoonful of vinegar in a kettle of hot lard will 
prevent doughnuts from absorbing fat. 

WHITING WILL REMOVE STAINS. 

Whiting rubbed on a flannel cloth will remove bak- 
ing stains from discolored dishes and cups. 

USE THREE DISH MOPS 

when washing dishes, one for glass and silver, one 
for the china, and one for the pots and the pans. Keep 
them separate and mark them in some way. These 
little mops may be bought for five and ten cents each, 
and their use will keep the hands in better condition. 

WHEN WASHING DISHES 

tuck a newspaper in front on your apron, and have 
an old pair of stocking-legs to pull over your sleeves, 
and it will help to keep you neat. 

SERVING WATERMELON. 

Nowadays the rind does not make an appearance. 
The heart of the melon is cut into regular shaped 
pieces about five inches square and two inches thick. 



106 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

These are heaped in a low cut glass dish, have bits of 
ice scattered over the top and sprigs of geranium leaves 
or any bright foliage tucked in the edges. A salad or 
an asparagus fork is passed with it for serving. This 
method of preparing watermelon is not only attractive 
to the eye, but makes the melon much more convenient 
to eat. 

WHITE PEPPER FOR CHICKEN SOUP 

will be found preferable to the black for seasoning. 

TO CLEAN GALVANIZED WATER BUCKETS. 

Take coal oil, rub them all over with a rag or brush. 
They will look like new. 

WIRE BROOM. 

A little wire broom is excellent for cleaning the 
horseradish grater. 

WOODEN SPOONS 

should be dipped in boiling water before using. This 
will prevent discoloration and absorbing of flavors. 

WIRE BASKETS FOR COOK. 

Have in your kitchen two wire letter baskets, such 
as come for office desks. You will find them invalu- 
able, as the various uses to which they can be put 
seems endless^ Toast is cut and laid on one every 
morning; it can be taken out of the broiler quickly 
without burning the fingers or scorching the toast. 
Use them always in the oven to hold baking dishes or 
cake pans, as you can take out anything without jar- 
ring. On top of boiling sauce pans they hold dishes 
or plates to be warmed. Turned upside down they 
will hold fresh bread or cake. They are strong and 
will carry a number of articles far better than a waiter. 
They can be used to make another shelf in the oven. 
They are indispensable in the kitchen. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 107 

CARE OF TINWARE. 

If new tinware is rubbed all over with fresh lard, 
^hen thoroughly heated before use, it will never rust. 

TO MAKE TOAST ON TOP OF GAS STOVK 

Place a tin cake pan, upside down, over the flame, 
and on the pan lay a tin cover, such as is used for 
covering large kettles. When both are smoking hot 
place the bread in an ordinary toaster and put it be- 
tween the tin cover and the bottom of the inverted 
pan. When the under side of the bread is done turn 
the toaster and brown the other side. It will take but 
a few seconds, and the toast will not be hard, as it is 
when made in a gas oven. 

FREEZE THE TEAKETTLE. 

When the inside of the kettle becomes coated with 
lime, empty all the water and set it out of doors on a 
cold, freezing night. In the morning the lime can be 
scraped off without the least trouble and the kettle 
will be as clean as new. 

THE LITTLE TONGS THAT COME IN A BOX 
OF CANDY 

will be found useful in hulling berries. They will not 
bruise the fruit and will prevent the fingers from being 
stained. 

SALT WITH VINEGAR. 

Salt moistened with vinegar will remove burnt 
marks from enameled sauce pans and dishes, but don't 
forget they should be soaked in cold soda water for 
a few hours first to loosen the stains. 

SMOOTH MIXTURE. 

To obtain a smooth mixture, blend your flour and 
water thickening with a fork instead of with a spoon. 



108 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

SPONGE FOR CLEANING. 

A sponge, instead of a cloth for cleaning, will make 
the work much easier. You can have it very wet or 
nearly dry and, best of all, it does away with the many 
dirty cloths that accumulate ^t house-cleaning time. 
A sponge is easily washed out after use. 

TO LAY STRAW MATTING SMOOTHLY 

is a hard thing to do, as the cheaper grades are likely 
to get wrinkled and to wear in ridges. When you put 
the matting down get it as smooth as possible; then, 
with a pail of hot water, to which a cupful of salt has 
been added, mop and wash the matting if it were 
dirty. Use the salt water freely, renewing often 
enough to keep it hot. Wash with the grain of the 
matting, and leave it quite damp. In drying, the mat- 
ting will shrink into place. The salt toughens the 
straw and prevents it from breaking. 

WAY TO CLEAN SPONGES. 

Rub a fresh lemon thoroughly into a soured sponge 
and rinse several times in lukewarm water. It will 
become as sweet as when new. 

KEEPING SILVER BRIGHT. 

If a liberal sprinkling of baking soda is added to the 
boiling water in which silver cutlery is immersed it will 
come out clean and bright; also use a little soda and 
alcohol to remove dark or persistent stains on silver. 
This is better than the mineral compounds as soda is 
soluble and, therefore, requires less work to gain good 
results. 

SILVER POLISH. 

A simple and effective silver polish is made by moist- 
ening ordinary baking soda with benzine or gasoline. 
Apply briskly with a brush, then wash in a warm suds 
and dry thoroughly. Keep soda well moistened 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 109 

throughout the process. The ordinary precautions 
should be observed with the use of gasoline. 

FINE SALT. 

A little fine salt rubbed upon stained china will re- 
move spots and lines made by tea and other liquids. 

TO REMOVE SCORCHED TASTE. 

If, when making cream filling, it becomes scorched, 
set the pan in a little cold water immediately and it 
will remove the burnt taste. 

TO REMOVE SPOTS. 

To remove kerosene spots from a carpet sprinkle the 
place with corn meal, brushing it out when it has lain 
a few hours. The kerosene will all come out by re- 
peating the application, which will have to be done if 
much oil has been spilled. 

SAUCE AROUND FISH. 

Pour sauce around fish and puddings and not over 
them. 

SUGAR ECONOMY. 

If plums and other acid fruits are first boiled in 
rather strong soda water they will preserve in half 
the time and take half the sugar. Boil a few minutes, 
turn off, add sugar but no water. They will thicken 
in about twenty minutes or half an hour. 

TO POWDER SPICE. 

To powder alum, spices, rice or any hard substance 
in small quantity, take a salt bag or piece of cotton 
cloth, lay substance to be ground in center of cloth; 
gather up edges of cloth in left hand, letting substance 
lie slack in the cloth. Place on a block or hard board 
and pound gently with hammer or mallet. The cloth 
will not break and the substance can be ground to 
any fineness desired. Nutmegs broken this way are 



110 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

better for pickles, as fine spices make vinegar muddy. 
It is also an easy way to grind coffee for camp use 
where a coffee mill is a nuisance. 

SAVE CORN HUSKS. 

Save and tear into half-inch strips all of your corn 
husks while yet green, and then place them in the sun 
to dry. Use them to fill your sofa pillows. They will 
be soft, light and airy. 

PREVENT SALT CAKING. 

By adding a little cornstarch to the table salt before 
it is put into the salt cellars (one teaspoon cornstarch 
to one-half cup of salt) it will be kept from caking. 

SUBSTITUTE FOR NUT CRACKER. 

An excellent substitute for a nut cracker is a lemon 
squeezer. 

STRAINING BAG. 

A convenient bag for straining Dutch cheese or 
jelly can be made as follows: Buy a pair of embroidery 
hoops for five or ten cents, according to size desired. 
Take a circular piece of cheese cloth and insert the 
edge between the hoops. Fasten on securely a handle 
of twine, and when in use hang in the most convenient 
place. The contents may be covered with a pie tin or 
any suitable covering, and the cloth can be easily 
cleansed. 

STOVE POLISH. 

A fine stove polish can be made by mixing powdered 
polish with strong soap suds ; add a little sugar to 
keep the dust down. 

KEEP COARSE SAND PAPER IN KITCHEN 

And use for cleaning kettles that have burned or for 
removing anything that has stuck to a pan in the pro- 
cess of cooking. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 111 

WHEN STUFFING A FOWL 

stick toothpicks through both sides of the opening, 
near the edge, and the dressing can be laced in, in 
much less time than can be sewed. It can also be 
much more easily served. 

A STRAINER FOR USE IN THE SINK 

may be easily made by punching holes in the bottom 
of a lard can by means of a hammer and awl. Such 
a strainer will aid very much to keep the sink clean, 
and may itself be kept easily clean. 

KEEPING THE KITCHEN STOVE CLEAN 

is one of the hardest tasks of the young housekeeper. 
One easy way is to slip brown paper bags over the 
hands when polishing the surface. These will keep 
the hands and fingernails clean and may easily be re- 
placed when soiled. Using a paint brush to apply the 
blacking to the stove is another good idea, as it is 
easy to reach all cracks and crevices with it. Some 
old housekeepers keep their stoves beautifully clean 
without blacking, simply by washing them well once 
a day with soap and water. 

SANDWICH HINTS. 

If meat to be used for sandwiches is run through 
the food chopper, it not only makes a nicer sandwich 
but will go farther than sliced. To prevent sandwich 
from drying out wrap in a damp cloth and then in 
waxed paper. 

SAVE ALL LEMON RIND. 

Save all lemon rind; place in a pan and cover with 
cold water, to which a small amount of sugar has been 
added ; bring to a boil, then let simmer for ten min- 
utes. You will find this preparation an excellent lemon 
flavoring for all kinds of puddings, etc. 



112 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

RULE FOR JELLY. 

To see if it has cooked sufficiently is to try it with 
a spoon. If it runs off the spoon in one straight stream 
it has not cooked enough; but if it runs off in two 
drops, side by side, it may safely be taken off the fire. 

BAKED POTATOES. 

Baked potatoes are always wholesome and dainty 
if properly cooked. They should be scrubbed with a 
brush, wiped dry, the tip cut from each end and baked 
in the oven. When they can be broken open by squeez- 
ing in a napkin they are ready to serve. 

TO SHELL PECANS. 

It is difficult to remove pecan meats from the shells 
without breaking them, as most housewives know, and 
the ready-to-use kind are expensive and not always ob- 
tainable in small towns. Soaking the pecans over night 
will solve the problem, the shells soften and the meats 
come out of the shell whole with the least trouble. 

CLEAN BURNT PANS. 

If your pans or kettles are burnt or soiled in any 
way, take cold ashes and rub over the burnt places, 
then wash and you will be surprised to see how soon 
the burn disappears. 

PICTURE HANGING MADE EASY. 

Save many a step up and down by using the gas 
lighter for hanging or moving pictures. This device 
just fits under the picture hook, and by steadying the 
picture with one hand, the putting up can be done as 
well as the taking down or moving. One can handle 
pictures of considerable size and weight in this way. 

TO PREPARE PINEAPPLE. 

Cut it through the center after removing the leaves. 
Then take a tablespoon and scrape out the pineapple. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 113 

You can prepare them quickly this way with scarcely 
any waste. The knife used for peeling pineapple 
should never be used for slicing it, as the rind contains 
an acid that is apt to cause a swollen mouth and sore 
lips. 

CHOP PUMPKIN. 
Every housewife knows what a long job it is to stew 
pumpkin for pie. Try paring it and put through a 
food chopper and it will cook in a short time. The 
little pie pumpkins will cook in a half an hour. Then 
put it through a fruit press. Far superior to the 
canned or dried product. 

TO KEEP PICKLES CRISP. 

Wash and wipe cucumbers and place in a stone jar. 
For every gallon of vinegar add one cupful of salt and 
a large half-cupful of ground mustard. Dissolve well 
and pour over the cucumbers cold. Ready to use in 
three days and will keep indefinitely. 

PINEAPPLE JUICE 

or grated pineapple added to lemonade is delicious. 

TO PEEL ONIONS. 

When peeling onions begin at the root end and peel 
upwards and they will not afifect your eyes at all. 

IN PRESERVING TIME 

if your supply of rubber rings gives out and you can- 
not get more at once use two old rings on a jar and 
you will be much safer than if you use only one. It 
is better economy, however, to buy new rubber rings 
every year. 

OVEN CLOTHS. 
Oven cloths made of denim are both thick and serv- 
iceable. One way to make them is to cut two pieces 
of denim one yard long and six inches wide, sew the 



114 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

two pieces together and turn back the ends about six 
inches, making pockets at both ends, in which the 
hands are slipped to prevent them from getting burnt 
when taking a hot pan from the oven. 

PREPARE DINNER ON PAPERS. 

Before you commence to prepare your dinner spread 
a paper at one end of your kitchen table, let all scraps 
and parings go on it. Take this paper up and burn 
in furnace and you have no scattered refuse to clean up. 

PIE CRUST. 

To have a beautifully browned pie crust, brush with 
cream or milk when ready for the oven. 

KEEP PARAFFIN PAPER AND RUBBER 
BANDS IN THE PANTRY, 

and before putting away a pitcher of milk slip a piece 
of paraffin paper over the top and hold in place by a 
rubber band. When rice is cooling for croquettes, 
cover it with the paper and it will not get so hard. 
Cover any left over salad dressing, and many other 
things in the same way. 

TO PEEL TOMATOES. 

To peel tomatoes without scalding rub the back of a 
knife over the entire surface of the tomato. Break 
the skin at the stem part and gently pull it away from 
the tomato. In this way tomatoes may be prepared 
without the semi-cooked taste which scalding gives 
them. 

FRUIT PIE OF ANY KIND 
should have a small paper cone inverted and inserted 
in the upper crust to prevent the juice boiling over. If 
this precaution is not taken and the juice boils over 
into the oven sprinkle salt on the burning juice to 
prevent the odor getting all over the house. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 115 

PASTRY WITH OLIVE OIL. 

Three cupfuls of flour, one teaspoon of salt, one- 
half cupful of olive oil, one-half cupful of ice water. 
Mix together and roll out once. This is an easy recipe, 
and makes a tender crust, one that can be digested 
easily. 

MELT PARAFFIN IN AN OLD COFFEE POT 

and see how easy it is to pour the contents into jelly 
glasses after they have been filled and need to be 
sealed. No drops will be spilled on table or tray. 

AN EASY WAY TO FILL PRESERVE JARS 

is to use a gravy-boat. The handle makes it easy to 
dip into the boiling fruit kettle, and the long neck fits 
into either quart or pint jars and prevents any spilling 
of the juice. 

TO KEEP A BUNCH OF PARSLEY FRESH. 

Place it in a quart jar, screw the lid on tight and 
keep in a cool place. Cared for in this way parsley 
will sometimes last for a week in good condition. 

PREVENT POTATOES FROM TURNING DARK. 

When boiling old potatbes, if they turn dark, add a 
teaspoon of sweet milk to a quart of water that you 
boil them in, and your potatoes will be as white as 
new ones. 

KEEP PUMPKINS A YEAR. 

Many lovers of pumpkin pie object to the flat taste 
of canned pumpkin. Pumpkins gathered before the 
frost is heavy, the stem coated with sealing wax and 
stored in a dry place, can be kept from one season to 
another, and the flavor is not impaired in the least. 
The secret lies in gathering them before the frosts, 
^nd ^^ excluding the air by coating the stem, 



116 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO STRAIN PUMPKIN QUICKLY. 

To save time in straining pumpkin use a perforated 
vegetable press instead of rubbing through a colander. 

TO SHELL PECANS. 

Throw nuts into boiling water and kernels can be 
extracted whole. 

POTATOES IN THE SOUP. 

If your soup is found too salty add a few slices of 
raw potatoes and cook a little longer. The potato 
will absorb the surplus salt. 

WHEN MILK BURNS. 

When milk burns pour it at once into a pitcher and 
stand it in a basin of cold water until it is cool, then 
it will be found to be quite free from the burned smell 
and taste. Also, when anything has burned in the 
double boiler, instead of replenishing the steamer part 
with hot water use cold water for the same effect. 

TEST YOUR MUSHROOMS. 

If, when cooking mushrooms, a piece of silver, a 
coin, or spoon be placed in the dish with them no 
accidental death need occur from eating them. If 
there is a poisoned one among them the silver will 
turn it black, then they should be thrown away. If it 
remains bright they are all right. 

SCALD MILK. 

To scald or boil milk, first rinse out the dish with 
cold water and immediately put in the milk, and it 
will not adhere to the dish and burn, but will wash 
easily afterward. 

TO KEEP MILK FRESH. 

Place a wooden box on your porch, end up, with 
open side facing the steps. This serves as a refriger- 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 117 

ator, drawing in the dampness and coolness of the 
night. Leave instructions for the milkman to put the 
box over the milk. The box will be cool and damp on 
the inside and the milk will be fresh. This will also 
protect the milk from stray dogs and cats. 

ANOTHER METHOD OF KEEPING MILK 
SWEET. 

In the hot weather if milk or cream is placed over 
the fire and brought to a boiling point before being put 
in the ice chest, it will keep sweet until it is all used. 
It may be kept several days. 

IF MOLASSES AND VINEGAR ARE PUT IN 
QUART JARS 

and kept on the pantry shelf, the frequent lifting of 
heavy jugs will be avoided. The jars may be refilled 
from the jugs whenever this is necessary. 

KEEP MEASURING SPOONS AND CUPS 

right where they are to be used, and save your time 
and steps. The spoons may be bought for very little 
money. Cut off almost the whole of the handles, so 
that the spoons may be kept in a baking-powder can 
or the salt-crock. Tin measuring-cups in the flour-bar- 
rel and sugar-bucket will prevent a waste of time in 
searching for them somewhere else. 

WHEN MAKING JELLY 

skim the fruit juice, as it boils, into a fine wire sieve, 
using a silver spoon. The clear juice will go through 
into the kettle, while the scum will remain. 

NEWSPAPER ON TRAY IN GAS-STOVE. 

Newspaper placed on the tray to the gas-stove, 
under the burners, catches all dirt and saves cleaning 
the tray. 



118 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

SOME NUTMEG ADVICE. 

Nutmegs should be grated at the blossom end first. 

REMOVE NUT MEATS WHOLE. 

Those who have experienced difficulty in removing 
the meats whole from pecan nuts will be glad to learn 
that this may be accomplished by soaking the nuts 
over night in cold water. This causes them to expand, 
and when cracked the meats may be removed whole. 

FRESHEN NUTS. 

When nuts have become too dry to use, remove the 
shells, let stand over night in equal parts milk and 
water, then dry them in the oven, and they will be 
fresh and good; this is a nice little economy that may 
be used to good advantage in making Christmas 
dainties. 

HELPS IN THE KITCHEN. 

A young bride in a small flat had a small kitchen and 
found entertaining difficult on account of lack of places 
to put the soiled dishes as they came out after each 
course. So she purchased a small cutting table and 
sawed the legs off to permit its going under the kitchen 
table with ease. She also bought a kitchen chair and 
sawed the back off, so that this could be slipped under 
both tables. Thus dishes could be placed on the cut- 
ting table and slid under the kitchen table until needed, 
and the chair could be placed in and out as desired. 

TO KEEP LEMONS. 

If lemons are put in a dish and covered with cold 
water they will keep for weeks at a time. 

KITCHEN FAUCETS 

are quickly cleaned with any acid, such as lemon, salts 
of tarter, etc. Ammonia is an excellent cleaner. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 119 

LETTUCE 

and celery kept in a damp cloth will keep crisp for 
several days. 

RECEPTACLES FOR LEFTOVERS. 

Save those tumblers which have contained sliced 
bacon or dried beef. They can be covered tightly, take 
up little space in the refrigerator, and you can see at a 
glance what is in them. 

USES FOR LEMONS. 

Dirty straw hats become clean when wet with lemon 
juice and brushed with cornmeal. 

Ink stains and rust spots vanish when moistened 
with the juice and hung into the sun. 

Fruit-stained hands becom.e white with the applica- 
tion of lemon juice. 

Indigestion is relieved by the juice of half a lemon 
and a little salt in a cup of hot water. 

WHEN LOOKING OVER FRUIT 

keep a bowl of cold water near, so that when small 
leaves or crushed berries stick to your fingers and 
hands they may be dipped into the water and instantly 
cleaned. If this is done the work of looking over fruit 
or hulling it will be accomplished much more quickly. 

TO KEEP LEMONS FRESH. 
A never failing method of keeping lemons is to put 
them in a coffee can, No. 2 size, and cover tightly. 
Keep in a cool place and they will keep indefinitely. 

BEFORE USING BOTTLED MILK 

wash and wipe carefully the top and neck of the bottle. 
The milkman usually carries the bottles by the necks, 
and while the bottles themselves may be sterilized in 
the most approv^cj manner, there may be dangeroi^s 



120 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

germs on the outside by the time you are ready to pour 
out the milk. 

TO KEEP A MEAL HOT FOR A LATE COMER 

take a soup-plate and almost fill it with hot water ; then 
place the dinner-plate, with its contents, on top of the 
hot soup-plate, and cover closely with still another 
plate. 

POTATO MUCILAGE. 
A good mucilage can be made from potato peelings , 
put as many peelings as desired in a kettle, cover with 
water, boil one hour; strain, then add one-half tea- 
spoonful of alum; this will keep indefinitely. 

HEAT MILK FOR MASHED POTATOES. 

If you are in the habit of using cold milk when you 
are mashing potatoes, try heating it hot before using 
and you will be surprised at the result. 

ATTRACTIVE KITCHEN. 

Cover the walls of your kitchen and pantry with oil- 
cloth. You can obtain this in a blue and white tiled 
pattern, which is neat, lasting and always looks fresh 
and clean. Have your cooking utensils, jars for sugar, 
coffee, seasonings, etc., of blue and white ware, which 
can be obtained anywhere at reasonable prices. Place 
a shelf near the stove for seasoning jars, and you will 
save a great many steps. Cover your floor with 
linoleum of wood effect. Have good screens, plenty 
of light, but when not in use pull the shades down and 
you will keep all flies away. Keep sink and sink brush 
clean. Wash your linoleum with tepid water, using no 
soap. A little milk in the water brightens it up. The 
walls can be wiped off easily and also the floor, thus 
saving all hard and heavy scrubbing. Buy the best 
cooking utensils you can afford, so that they will last 
you. Have a place for everything and keep everything 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 121 

in its place. This dainty blue kitchen is easy to keep 
clean, always has a sanitary look, and is a delight to 
the worker in it. If you wish curtains in this room, 
select a white pattern with a little blue stripe or figure. 

KITCHEN WINDOWS OF APARTMENT 
HOUSES. 

Neat boards painted the same color as the window 
frames, fitting the window ledges, and standing high 
enough in front to conceal the inevitable milk bottles, 
will make a great improvement. The idea also could 
be adopted by those keeping lodging-houses who wish 
to have the exterior of their houses looking neat. 

KITCHEN PAINTS. 

Kitchen paints will soon acquire a dull look from the 
frequent cleaning that is necessary in this room. The 
use of soap only increases the difficulty, especially if 
the paints are varnished. The best method is to boil 
one pound of bran in a gallon of water for an hour, 
then wash the paint with this water, and it will not 
only be kept clean but bright and glossy. 

ECONOMIZE KITCHEN SPACE. 

A table in a small kitchen may be dispensed with 
in the following manner and much space gained : Have 
your carpenter fit a drawer under the sink board in 
which to keep all paring knives, kitchen spoons, and 
recipe books where you need them. On the side of the 
sink board have a leaf hung on two hinges so when 
opened up your sink is as long as an ordinary table. 
Under the sink proper can be placed a shelf high 
enough to allow scrubbing pail, waste-paper basket, to 
slip under, and on the shelf keep scrubbing brush, 
cleaning powders, and hang in front a white washable 
curtain. 



122 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

KEEP FROM MARRING SINK. 

In washing dishes in the white porcelain sinks, if 
one would use a wooden chopping bowl for a dish- 
pan and wrap the ends of the wire dish drainer with a 
cloth, they would find it would prevent many scratches 
which are so hard to get oflf. 

THE STEEL KNIFE. 

• After scraping fish, rub the knife with an old lemon 
peel, and it will destroy all fish odor. 

TO KEEP CREAM SWEET. 

To keep cream sweet add to each bottle one tea- 
spoonful of powdered sugar. This will put off the 
souring process at least twelve hours, provided the 
cream is kept on ice. 

SAVE KID GLOVES. 

If 3^ou have lost one of your kid gloves, do not throw 
the other away. If it is a short one it will come in 
handy for stripping on the right hand when polishing 
stoves or doing any other rough hand work. An elbow 
length kid glove ripped apart to get the largest surface 
will in most cases serve the same purpose as a chamois 
polisher. 

TO KEEP BUTTER. 

Make a brine of salt and water strong enough to 
bear an egg. This will preserve butter a long time, 
also sweeten it if it is strong. 

USEFUL KITCHEN KNIFE. 

A glazier's knife will be found an excellent thing 
with which to scrape and clean the bottom of pans and 
kettles. This need only to be tried to prove its value. 

KEEP AWAY COOKING ODORS. 

When boiling cabbage, kraut, turnips or other loud- 
smelling substances, put a lump of charcoal or reel 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 123 

pepper pod in the kettle to neutralize the odor there- 
from. 

FOR A CLEAN KITCHEN. 

A simple way to keep gasoline stoves clean is to fill 
the bowl with denatured alcohol instead of gasoline to 
heat the burner. This keeps walls, ceiling and stove 
free from soot. 

HELPS FOR THE SMALL KITCHEN. 
TROUBLESOME INSECTS. 

Saturate a soft cloth with coal oil and thoroughly 
rub outside of screen doors. This is especially good 
for doors opening on a porch, where flies and mos- 
quitoes congregate. They will never come near if oil 
is used as directed. 

IN THE KITCHEN. 

For the housewife who must practice strict economy, 
as well as for her who lives at a distance from the mar- 
ket, it is well to know that cabbage, celery or lettuce 
and their like, which have lost the first freshness, may 
be restored by putting it first in warm water, just 
comfortably warm to the hand, and after fifteen or 
twenty minutes taken out and covered with fresh 
cold water for thirty or more minutes. You will be 
surprised to note that it will have the original snappy 
crispness so much desired. 

WHEN MAKING JELLY 

a bag of cheesecloth of about the same capacity as the 
kettle you are using will be found a great convenience. 
Put it in your preserving-kettle, and put the fruit in 
the bag, just as you would put it in the empty kettle. 
A good way to hang the bag to the kettle is to use the 
spring clothespins. Lift the bag occasionally while the 
fruit is cooking, to be sure that it does not stick to the 
bottom. When the fruit is cooked lift the bag out and 



124 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

hang it where the juice will drip all night. The next 
day make the jelly as usual. 

DRAIN ICE BOX. 

Bore a hole in the floor directly under drain pipe of 
your ice box; into this from below fit one end of a 
pipe and connect the other end with a sewerage pipe. 
Set a funnel into the top of the pipe, and in this way 
drain off the waste water. 

WHEN STRAINING JELLY. 

The bag may be hung from the gas-stove if there is 
no convenient hook to use. All gas-stoves have at the 
side an openwork iron shelf to which the bag may be 
tied. The bowl may be placed on the floor underneath 
to catch the dripping juice. 

TO TIGHTEN JAR COVERS. 

After putting covers on fruit jars lightly, take an 
ordinary can opener and press down the edges of cov- 
ers all around. This is especially good when old cov- 
ers are used. This positively keeps the jars air-tight. 

IN TURNING OUT JELLIES, ETC., 

from molds, wet with cold water the dish on which 
the jelly is to be placed; then the jelly will very easily 
slip out of the mould to the center of the dish. 

TO MAKE JELLY FIRM. 

If jelly is not sufficiently firm, place the glasses in 
the sun for a day. 

TWO JELLY BAGS. 

Two jelly bags are needed and both should be made 
of cheesecloth with muslin drawstrings placed at the 
top. In draining apples or heavy fruit, slip one bag 
over the other to make them more durable and let the 
juice flow through both. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 125 

HOME-MADE JELLY GLASSES. 

Useless bottles may be turned into jelly glasses and 
jars by cutting- off the top down to any required depth. 

Take common cotton cord and wrap two or three 
times around the bottle a little below where it is to be 
divided. Drop alcohol slowly on the cord until it is 
well saturated, then ignite with a match. When the 
flame has about died out pour on a little cold water, 
and the glass will immediately separate as smoothly as 
if cut. 

TO TIGHTEN LID ON GLASS JAR. 

Break white of an egg into a saucer and dip the rub- 
ber and the lid of the jar into the egg and place them 
upon the jar and tighten, and there will be no danger 
of the fruit fermenting. 

GAS RANGE. 

The easiest, quickest and most satisfactory way of 
cleaning top, burners, valves and zinc dripping plate of 
your gas range is the use of a cloth saturated with 
gasoline. It removes the grease and grime better than 
anything else and in just a few minutes. 

SAVE GAS WHEN COOKING. 

To save expense when using a gas stove have a piece 
of sheet iron large enough to cover the top of the stove 
and turn on only one burner. The heat will be diffused 
enough to cook a whole dinner. This also solves the 
problem of keeping things hot on a gas stove. 

TEST GLASS CANS. 

Before canning fruit and pickles in glass cans one 
should test the cans. Into a can put about one pint of 
warm water, then put on the rubber and lid as if for 
canning. Turn can upside down, and if water leaks 
out the can is unsafe. Then try two rubbers or try a 



126 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

different lid. When the cans are airtight the contents 
may be kept for several years without molding. 

TO SAVE GAS. 

If one would save gas, cut strips of asbestos paper 
an inch and a half wide and long enough to go around 
the burners of the gas range; pin together to form a 
ring, slip over the burner, and all the heat is thus con- 
centrated where wanted. In this way the gas can be 
half turned off and the same result obtained. 

WHEN GRINDING STALE BREAD IN A FOOD 
CHOPPER 

tie a paper bag over the mouth of the chopper, which 
will prevent the scattering of the crumbs. When the 
bag is full empty it into a dish, and fill again. 

WHEN A HOT DISH IS COOLING 

cover it with a cheesecloth, and for this purpose hem a 
number of cheesecloth squares and sew very large 
white porcelain buttons on each corner. The buttons 
will weigh the cloth enough to prevent it from being 
blown off if placed by an open window. Many dishes 
like jelly, custards, blanc-mange, etc., need to cool be- 
fore they are put on ice, and should not be left without 
some covering. 

PUT HAT PIN IN CAKE. 

To keep layers from slipping while icing the top and 
sides, take a new hat pin, kept for this purpose, stick 
down through the three layers, and allow it to remain 
till the fining has hardened. 

HAY WARMER. 

We have all found out the advantages of the hay box 
or fireless cooker, and have used the same principle in 
what we call our hay warmer. Take an old band box, 
not too high, pack bottom and sides solid with hay. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS W 

leaving room for a good size baking dish or pan. Line 
with cheese cloth and make a pillow of hay to fit inside 
the cover. It is light and easy to carry and in it one 
can take scalloped potatoes, oysters, fried chicken, 
chicken pie, etc., to picnics, church suppers, etc., and 
find them piping hot in the coldest weather. 

HELP THE BREAD RISE IN WINTER. 

A hot-water bag will be found convenient. Fill the 
bag with hot water and place it under the bread pan, 
finally covering all with an old blanket. Two flatirons, 
heated, and put on each side of the bread-pan (covering 
all as before) may take the place of the water bag. 

TO CLEAN DRAINS. 

To clean drains use one pound copperas, one gallon 
boiling water. Do not use lye for that purpose, as it 
has a tendency to form soft soap when sink drain is 
greasy. Copperas is poison, so if it be kept on hand it 
should be labeled. 

WASH DISHCLOTH. 

The importance of clean dishcloths, now that 
diseases are known to be caused by germs, cannot be 
too strongly impressed on the minds of housekeepers. 
If it is black and sour, throw it into the fire. Take 
a clean dishcloth twice a week, and you can always 
keep them sweet and clean. 

AVOID CHIPPING DISHES WHEN WASHING 

DISHES 

by placing the dishpan with the handles in front of 
you, instead of at the right and left. When the dishes 
are removed to the second pan or tray they will not hit 
against the handles of the pan. 

DISHMOPS CAN BE KEPT ODORLESS 

by putting them in a solution of soda water. 



128 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

DISHMOPS ARE A HELP WHEN PRESERVING, 

one to be taken for washing the jars, the other for dry- 
ing them. In this way the jars may be easily cleaned. 

EXAMINE THE LINING OF YOUR FRUIT-JAR 

COVERS 

before using them, because if the porcelain does not fit 
snugly and there is space between it and the metal 
part, the contents of the jar will nearly always spoil. 
Press the cover between the fingers, and if there is any 
looseness do not use the cover. 

TO DRY EGGS. 

The eggs are beaten to uniform consistency and 
spread out in thin cakes on batter plates. This drys in 
a paste, which is to be packed in close cans and sealed. 
When required for use the paste can be dissolved in 
water and beaten to a foam like fresh eggs. Eggs can 
be preserved for months in this way and retain their 
flavor. 

IN SEPARATING THE WHITES FROM THE 
YOLKS OF EGGS 

one often will break the yolk into the white. In such 
case dip a clean cloth into warm water and wring dry. 
Touch the yolk with the cloth and it will cling to the 
cloth. 

TO KEEP EGGS FRESH. 
Begin packing eggs the last of September for winter 
use if eggs are nice and fresh. When packed in the fall 
they will be just as fresh the next spring. Get a four- 
gallon earthenware jar; put a two-inch layer of salt in 
the bottom, then stand each egg with small end down 
in the salt until the bottom is filled ; then keep on filling 
till jar is full. Do not add any more salt, for it will 
harden and the eggs will break in getting them out. 
The salt that is used is only for foundation. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 129 

TO CLEAN ENAMELWARE. 

When the porcelain or enamel of kitchen utensils has 
become stained or discolored, fill the utensil with 
water to which has been added a teaspoon of chloride 
of lime, and boil this in the kettle for two or three 
hours. The result of this process will be surprising to 
one who has never tried it. 

ENVELOPE COVERS FOR KITCHEN 
HOLDERS 

are much easier to keep clean than the thick holders 
themselves. Buy asbestos holders and make brown 
Holland envelopes just the right size for them to fit . 
into. Secure the flap with button and buttonhole. 

MUCH FRUIT IS SPOILED BY USING WRONG 
UTENSILS. 

For example, those of iron and tin. These should 
not be employed for cooking fruit, since the acid of the 
fruit attacks these metals and a bad color and taste 
will result. Even the use of an enamel kettle, from 
part of the surface of which has rubbed off, should in 
good economy be rejected. The cover of a jar may be 
imperfect; it seems extravagant to discard it, but bet- 
ter discard it with the jar empty than full of carefully 
preserved fruit. 

SUBSTITUTE FOR PARSLEY. 

The green tips of celery or minced leaves of Brus- 
sels sprouts may be substituted for parsley when that 
is not obtainable for garnishing. 

CARE OF A BROOM. 

Many housekeepers complain of the short life of a 
broom, but if the following is observed the broom will 
last a long time and, what is more, will preserve its 
fullness and stiffness: 



130 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

When through sweeping dissolve a handful of salt 
in a basin of water and dip the broom into it, shaking it 
out several times. Then stand it up, handle down, and 
when you wish to use it again you will find it as stiff 
as a new broom. Never stand your broom up with the 
broom end down if you wish to keep the straws 
straight. 

CHEAP KINDLING. 

Do not destroy excelsior, but use it for kindling. 
Make small rolls of it by wrapping a handful tightly 
in paper and twisting the ends. You can prepare a 
quantity at a time and always have good kindling on 
hand. 

WHEN COOLING PUDDINGS. 

To protect cooling puddings and jellies from dust 
and germs while standing on the window sill, cover 
with a sheet of glass. 

USE A COFFEE-POT WHEN WARMING THIN 

SOUPS 

and see how much easier it is to pour out the soup into 
the cups or plates. None need be spilled, and just the 
right amount of soup may be put in. But if this plan 
is followed a cofifee-pot should be reserved for this spe- 
cial purpose. 

USE OF CINNAMON. 
A slight sprinkling of powdered cinnamon just be- 
fore serving is said by some greatly to improve the 
flavor and aroma of a cup of cocoa. 

FILLING A COAL HOD BY DEGREES 

is an idea worth considering by the woman who is not 
strong. Let her keep a grape basket at the head of 
the cellar stairs and each time she makes a trip to the 
cellar she can fill the basket and empty it into the coal 
hod in the kitchen. Even the children may help in this 
way to keep the coal hod full. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 131 

CHOOSING CHICKEN. 

In choosing a chicken it should be plump on the 
breast, fat on the back and have white legs. An old 
chicken is distinguished by its rough legs and long 
hairs are found on the breast. 

CHINA CEMENT. 

Make a paste by stirring powdered lime into the 
white of an egg. Let it harden well, and neither hot 
nor cold water will affect it. 

CAKE MAKER. 

The cake maker should remember that cakes with- 
out butter, such as sponge cake and lady fingers, re- 
quire a quick oven, with the exception of angels' food 
and sunshine cake. A cake made with butter calls for 
a rather moderate oven, with the exception of dark 
spice cakes and fruit cakes, which should bake slowly 
and a long time, so that they will be permeated with 
the flavor of the spices and grow dark with long cook- 
ing. 

COLLANDER PREVENTS SPATTERING. 

Turn your collander over eggs or hominy or any- 
thing that spatters while cooking. They will not steam 
and will brown nicely and not fly out and burn you. 
You can raise handle a little to turn. 

CORNSTARCH IN CRANBERRIES. 

If you would retain the wholesome acidity of the 
cranberry, thicken with cornstarch and sugar. When 
the latter is used alone the pleasant, agreeable flavor is 
lost in a heavy, unpalatable sweet. 

A PANE OF GLASS PLACED OVER THE COOK 

BOOK 

when it is open on the table will keep the right place 
and also prevent the book from becoming soiled. The 



132 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

glass should be a trifle larger than the book, and it is 
a good idea to have passepartout binding all the edges. 

KEEP CUCUMBERS CRISP. 

To keep cucumbers nice and crisp slice into glass 
jar, screw on top, and set next to ice. In this way 
they do not scent the ice box and may be prepared 
early, and not at the last moment when everything is 
confusion. 

USING CLOTHESPINS TO FASTEN CLOTH 
STRAINERS 

whenever a large quantity of fruit juice is to be strained 
will lighten the work somewhat. Just fasten the 
cheesecloth bag over a granite pail by clothespins, and 
it may be left until all the juice has gone through. 
Where rain-water is used for washing purposes it often 
requires straining. Cover the top of the wash-boiler 
with a piece of cheesecloth, pinning it to the edges 
with clothespins ; then pour in the water. 

COFFEE-POT HELP. 

To keep coffee-pot clean and fresh from odor, use 
scalding water, no soap, and rub off the brown film 
which collects on inside with salt. Rinse and dry well. 

CHEESE HELP. 

To prepare soft cheese for macaroni, rub it through 
a fine sieve with a spoon. 

TO KEEP BEEF FRESH. 

This is for people that can't get fresh beef every day 
— that is, beef for soups and roasts. Take the beef, 
put in a jar, cover with sour milk. To use wash in 
about four waters and you have beef fresh as when 
bought. This is fine to keep beef in warm weather; 
will keep for a week. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 133 

BAKING-POWDER BISCUIT 

will be much better if you roll the dough thinner than 
usual and cut two cuts for one biscuit, laying one on 
top of the other. Made in this way biscuits will break 
open at once and seem daintier. 

BREAD FOR LUNCHEON 

will be nicer and may be more easily packed if the 
loaves are baked in large sized baking-powder cans. 
The slices will then be of the right size without trim- 
ming off the crusts. 

BAKING COOKIES. 

When baking cookies turn your bake pans upside 
down and bake your cookies on the bottom, and you 
will have no scorched ones. 

YOU CAN GET A GOOD BED OF COALS 
QUICKLY 

when building a fire by putting two layers of fresh 
coals directly on the grate and the kindlings on top of 
the coal. When the wood is burning well put more 
coal on top. The coal will ignite both ways and before 
the wood is burned out you will have a bed of coals 
deep and steady enough for boiling. This saves a 
great deal of time and attention, for the fire is never 
in danger of "falling through." 

COVER COOK BOOK. 

Try an oilcloth cover for your recipe book. You will 
be delighted with it. A cloth-bound book soon gets 
greasy and floury, but covered with white oilcloth all 
spots can be wiped. 

HOW JAPS KEEP CHEESE MOIST. 

In Japan they have a simple way of keeping cheese 
moist. They saturate a linen cloth with vinegar and 
wrap it around the cheese. The cheese does not take 



134 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

the taste of the vinegar. The vinegar preserves the 
moisture of the cheese. 

CREAM OF TARTAR. 

A pinch of cream of tartar added to sugar before 
boiling makes boiled frosting for cakes delicious and 
creamy. 

CREAM SURPRISE. 

An almost perfect substitute for sweet cream for 
cofifee, when cream is scarce or suddenly gone sour: 
The yolk of an egg well beaten and gradually thinned 
with milk to the proper consistency, then stirred into 
the cup of coffee. 

SWEET CREAM. 

One teaspoon sweet cream in frosting prevents 
crumbling when cut. 

AVOID CRACKED EGGS. 

When boiling eggs if you wish to prevent their 
cracking pierce the large end with a pin before drop- 
ping into water. 

WASH YOUR CUT GLASS 

in warm soap and water, using also soft brush like a 
baby's hair brush; then rinse in cold water, adding a 
tablespoon of vinegar to every quart of water. Change 
the rinsing water often and dry the glass on a soft 
towel. Last of all, give it a final polish with another 
dry, soft brush. 

APPLES. 
Apples that have too little flavor are made delicious 
by mixing them with stewed cranberries or by cooking 
the two together, adding a moderate amount of sugar. 
Strain through a collander. The sauce is very savory 
with ducks, geese or roast pork. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 135 

TO CHOP ALMONDS. 

A few drops of rosewater added to almonds will pre- 
vent their boiling while being chopped. 

TO AERATE WATER. 

To aerate boiling water to be used for drinking, use 
an eggbeater. The rapid beating removes the flat taste 
so much disliked. \ 

TO MEND AGATEWARE. 

When an aggravating hole suddenly appears in an 
agate or porcelain-lined stewpan, do not throw it away 
as past redemption. Take one of the round-headed 
paper fasteners, such as lawyers or teachers are in the 
habit of using, to keep the sheets of a manuscript to- 
gether; push the two level flat clips through the hole 
from the inside ; bend back on the outside ; then, laying 
the basin on a hard substance, hammer the round head 
down flat on the inside, and it will last a long time. 

AVOID HAVING ANTS. 

If bothered with ants, keep everything possible in 
tin cans and earthen jars. Catch the ants on a sweet- 
ened sponge, plunge the sponge into boiling water to 
kill the insects. Wet cloths placed over a safe, refrig- 
erator or cupboard wil! prevent their entrance. They 
avoid dampness. 

CLEANING ALUMINUM WARE. 

A simple, harmless way to clean aluminum pans is 
to boil in them a few stalks of pie-plant. Most of the 
scouring powders and soaps will ruin aluminum and 
not give the pan the bright, new appearance the house- 
keeper wishes to retain. 

DRIVE ANTS AWAY. 

Sprinkle a little epsom salts around or near where 
the ants are and they will quickly disappear. 



136 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

PANCAKE BATTER. 

Mix your batter for pancakes with the eggbeater and 
you will have no lumps in batter. 

IN BROILING MEAT ON A GAS STOVE 

the grease dropping into the dripping-pan underneath 
often catches fire and makes a very unpleasant smoke. 
To obviate this pour about an inch of water — enough 
to float the grease — into the dripping-pan before broil- 
ing the steak or chops. 

TO KEEP BUTTER COOL WITHOUT ICE 

take two pans, one larger than the other, and putting 
the butter in the smaller pan, set it inside the larger, 
into which put two tablespoonfuls of salt and enough 
cold water to reach to the top of the smaller pan. Soak 
a clean flower-pot in cold water and cover the butter 
with it. Resoak the flower-pot every little while and 
the butter will stay quite firm. This is a good way to 
keep butter when camping out. 

BUTTERMILK. 

Serve rich buttermilk with cracked ice. 

BURN BONES. 

Save fuel by burning soup bones or any large bones 
that always are thrown away. They will keep a good, 
slow fire in the range for five hours after being boiled 
almost all day. 



LAUNDRY 



TO PREVENT WASH FREEZING. 

To prevent clothes from freezing to the line in win- 
ter put a handful of salt in last rinsing water. 

TO IRON WAISTS. 

If the buttoned side of waists is ironed in a folded 
bath towel, buttons turned downwards, they will be 
prevented from breaking and are more easily ironed. 

CLEANING WOOLEN GOODS. 

To make woolen goods look like new and to restore 
their life and color, add one-half cup of vinegar to 
the rinsing water. 

CLEAN WRINGER WITH GASOLINE. 

When cleansing a wringer saturate a cloth with 
gasoline and rub all over. This must not be done near 
light or fire. 

HOW TO WASH QUILTS. 

Dissolve a bar of white soap in a cup of water. Run 
into your bath tub sufficient warm water to cover one 
quilt and let soak for a few minutes. Do not rub, but 
use the wash board, top end down, to press or pound 
out the dirt. Never wring, but with the wash board 
press out the water. When you have pressed out as 
dry as you can pin the quilt closely on the line to 
drain. When thoroughly dry whip with the carpet 

137 



138 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

beater until thoroughly fluffy, before removing from 
the line. This method is especially fine for tied quilts. 
The bath tub preferred, because of shape and water 
convenience. 

WHEN WASHING SILK. 

Wash and rinse as is done with any other article, 
then, instead of drying by hanging on line and damp- 
ening, roll tightly in piece of goods such as Turkish 
towel. Set aside and in less than two hours dress is 
ready to be ironed. 

TO WASH BLACK GOODS. 

To make black silk, alpaca, serge and lawn dresses 
look like new: For the undertaking get ten cents' 
worth of soap bark and boil it in one quart hot water. 
Let it steep awhile and then strain it into a basin for 
use. Now take the whole dress apart and rip off trim- 
ming, brush all loose dust off first, and then with a 
sponge dipped in the soap bark decoction wipe over 
each piece thoroughly, folding up as you proceed. 
Now have your irons hot and smooth each- piece on 
the wrong side, even the silk trimmings, and when 
put together you will be surprised to see the results. 
Instead of your old dress you will have one that looks 
like new. 

WHITE FLOATING SOAP. 

Four quarts of fat, any kind will do; two ten-cent 
cans of lye and ten quarts of water. Put water in 
an old boiler, mix the fat, then the lye. Let this come 
to a boil and boil three hours slowly. When the soap 
becomes flaky and the liquid looks clear and boils 
over the soap it is ready to skim. Line a wooden box 
with a piece of wet muslin, skim out soap and put in 
box to drain for about 12 hours and cut in bars. This 
will make 12 large bars of hard white soap. It may be 
used for any kind of washing. Take a little of the 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 139 

soap and press in the hand. If it sticks to the hand 
and looks gray it needs a little more lye; if too flaky 
more fat. The liquid can be used for scrubbing. 

CLEAN NET WAISTS. 

To each quart of gasoline use one and one-half cup- 
fuls of white flour, stir this into the gasoline. When 
thoroughly mixed put the waist to soak for half an 
hour. If badly soiled a little while longer. Then 
gently rub between the hands until clean. Rinse in 
clean gasoline and hang out in the wind for two or 
three hours. Lace curtains can be beautifully cleaned 
this way and will look like new. 

TO WASH WHITE SILK UNDERWEAR. 

Do not wash white silk underwear with warm water 
or resinous soap. It must be washed in tepid water 
with white soap and iron dry, otherwise it will turn 
an ugly yellow. 

A GOOD WAY TO WASH WHITE SILK 
GLOVES 

is to rub them well in lukewarm water, to which 
a little ammonia has been added, and rinse quickly in 
clear water of the same temperature. Hang them 
where they will dry quickly and then put them be- 
tween sheets of white paper and under a weight. 
Treated in this way they will not turn yellow. 

BLEACH TOWELS. 

When towels become dark and spotted they should 
be bleached. If javelle water is not used wash the 
towels first in tepid suds and boil in lye water, a boiler 
half full with enough lye to make the water slippy. 
Add a bar of shaved soap. Start the water to boil, 
draw the boiler aside, place on the lid and allow the 
contents to steam, but not boil. Wash a second time 



140 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

and then rinse twice in bluing water. This makes 
grayish towels as white as new. 

TABLE LINEN THAT IS STAINED. 
Table linen that has been stained with egg should 
never be placed in boiling water, as this has the effect 
of setting the stain and making it almost permanent. 
The best method is to soak the cloth in cold water, 
which will make it perfectly easy to remove the stain 
before sending it to the wash. 

TAR STAINS. 

To remove tar stains, moisten with olive oil, then a 
tepid lather of white soap and water. Put this over a 
pail and let it drip through. Do not wTing. 

TO MAKE STARCH. 

To make starch that positively will not stick and 
which will also give the clothes a nice, glossy look: 
Moisten four heaping tablespoons of starch with a 
little cold water, then add one teaspoonful of sugar 
and one teaspoonful of lard or butter, and pour over 
this one gallon of boiling water. Set on stove and 
let boil ten minutes. 

WASH FLOUR SACKS. 

After emptying the last bits of flour give the bags 
a good shaking, later soak them in plenty of cold 
water with a big handful of washing soda and allow 
them to lie over night. Take them out and wash them, 
giving all the colored parts a good rubbing with car- 
bolic soap, and put them on to boil, with plenty of 
soda. Bleach and wash again and bags will be clear 
white. 

TO FOLD NAPKINS. 

If napkins are folded once before ironing then the 
corners will not be stretched out into points as they 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 141 

do when ironed single. Handkerchiefs also look much 
neater if ironed this way. 

KEEP STARCH FROM STICKING. 

If your starch sticks put a dry cloth over your collar 
or cuff for a few minutes. Then proceed with your 
ironing. 

SOAP FOR REMOVING SPOTS. 

Chip three-fourths of a bar of good laundry soap 
into one or two gallons of water ; let stand over night 
till dissolved. Then add three ounces of white sugar, 
two ounces of honey and one and one-half ounces of 
turpentine and boil together till it drops off the end of 
the spoon. Remove from the fire and let cool. Then 
cut into bars. This is an excellent soap for cleaning 
men's clothing and washing all woolen and cotton 
fabrics, as it restores the colors. 

SOFT SOAP. 

If all ends of soap are put in a glass jar with a little 
water on them it will be found handy to put in the 
wash boiler on wash day. 

TAKE OUT GRAPE STAIN. 

Soak the article that is stained in boiling hot water 
and sal soda, from thirty to forty-five minutes, then 
wash in clean hot water with plenty of soap, and rinse 
well. 

GRASS STAINS. 

When white goods are grass stained saturate them 
with paraffin and put them out in the sun. 

SPERMACETI ADDED TO STARCH. 

Spermaceti added to boiled starch gives the goods 
a gloss; borax makes the starch stiffer but is found 
to be hard on thin goods. 



142 iOOl HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

SCORCHED CLOTHES 

are often discarded as hopeless, but if not much 
burned may be made all right by the use of onion 
juice. Bake the onion and squeeze out the juice. Mix 
it with an ounce of fuller's earth, a litle shredded soap 
and a wine glass of vinegar. Heat the mixture till 
the soap is dissolved. Then wait till it is cold before 
applying. Rub it well over the scorched place and 
leave to dry, then put the garment in the regular 
washing. 

TO REMOVE STAINS. 
Hang a card on the wall over the laundry tubs with 
the fallowing directions plainly written : Remove 
stains of fresh fruits with boiling water; cocoa and 
blood, cold water; grass and machine oil, cold water 
and soap ; red wine and ink, warm chlorine water ; 
varnish and oil paints, turpentine and soap ; iron rust 
and ink, weak solution of oxalic acid (one tablespoon 
to one glass of water) ; coal tar or wagon grease, lard, 
then soap, wash alternately with water and turpentine. 

SULPHUR REMOVES STAINS. 

Place a tablespoon of sulphur on a plate, add a few 
drops of pure alcohol and ignite. Over this place a 
tin funnel ; wet the stain and hold over the small open- 
ing in the funnel. Allow the sulphur fumes to come 
in contact with every particle of the stain. The action 
is a quick chemical bleaching, which is effective for 
any stain on white goods. Be sure to rinse the mate- 
rial immediately and thoroughly in weak ammonia 
water, then launder as usual. 

VASELINE STAIN. 

For vaseline stain, soak in cold water for a half hour 
or longer, then apply warmer water, and finally wash 
in strong white soap and boiling water. If white goods, 
put in the sun. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 143 

TEA AND COFFEE STAINS. 

Only a few people know that butter will remove 
tea, coffee or fruit stains. It should be rubbed on the 
linen or cotton and then the material should be soaked 
in hot water and a mild soap. In fact, any stains, ex- 
cept ink or wine stains, sprinkle salt over the spots 
and pour boiling water through it until the spot has 
gone. 

IRONING SHIELD. 

When ironing it is difficult to keep tablecloths, cur- 
tains and sheets from becoming soiled by coming in 
contact with the floor. Take a piece of muslin about 
four inches shorter than the ironing board and about 
five feet wide. Make a hem an inch wide all around. 
Sew a tape to each corner and finish tape with button 
and buttonhole. Put a small staple at each corner of 
the ironing board, put tapes through these and button 
under the board. This makes a pocket under the board, 
which holds the garments, keeping them free from dirt. 

STOCKINGS. 

Do not launder stockings with other clothes because 
the lint from the other garments will adhere to them. 
Use ammonia in the water to wash them and they will 
not spot. It removes perspiration. 

BLEACHED FADED DRESS. 

Soak the dress over night in a strong soap suds. 
Fill a boiler half full of soft water, put in one pint of 
javelle water (made by pouring one gallon of iDoiling 
water on a pound of chloride of lime). Dip often to 
bleach evenly and then rinse through three waters. 

TO DRY ARTICLES QUICKLY. 

When it is necessary for a wet article to dry quickly 
wrap the article in a thick Turkish bath towel to wring. 
The towel absorbs most of the moisture. 



144 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

WHEN YOU DRY STOCKINGS. 

When in a hurry to dry stockings roll paper into 
balls and place in the heels, toe and leg of each stock- 
ing. Then place in the open air. This ventilates the 
stockings and makes them dry twice as quickly. 

CLEANING DELICATE FABRICS. 

Grate a pound of raw potatoes to a fine pulp, add 
one pint of water; pass this liquid through a coarse 
sieve into a vessel and allow it to remain until the 
fine white starch settles to the bottom ; then pour 
off the clear liquor, which is to be used for cleaning. 

For white silks use thin liquor with a little borax 
dissolved in it. Place a clean sheet folded thick on 
ironing board, place garment on same, dip a sponge in 
the liquor, and apply until the dirt is removed. Rinse 
in tepid water and press on the wrong side. 

WHEN SORTING CLOTHES FOR WASHING. 

It is a good plan to put the diflferent kinds of clothes 
in bags by themselves ; white underclothes in one bag, 
flannels in another, colored clothes in still another, 
and so on. If these bags are plainly marked the plan 
will be a great help to the laundress and will prevent 
her from dumping everything in a pile on the floor. 
Besides the clothes will be washed in a more sys- 
tematic way and hygienic manner. 

A GRAPE BASKET FOR THE CLOTHES PINS. 

With a wire hook fastened to the handle will save 
much time when hanging out the clothes, for it may 
be pushed along the line and will always be handy. 

STRETCH CURTAINS ON COUCH. 

Extend your couch full width, cover with sheet or 
newspapers. Then stretch your curtains on the couch. 
If you find that your couch is not long enough take 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 145 

the part of the curtain that hangs over and pin it back 
on the couch. 

FRINGED CLOTHS 
are often quite ruined in appearance at the laundry. 
They may be made to look like new for an indefinite 
period if, when they are starched, a little care is taken 
not to starch the fringe. Fold each cloth in four like 
a handkerchief, and then gather the fringe of each cloth 
into the hand and hold it firmly while you dip the 
middle only into the starch. When the cloth is dry 
shake the fringe well and comb it with a specially 
kept toilet comb and it will fall as softly and prettily 
as when new. 

EASILY WASHED COMFORTERS. 

The hard work of washing comforts will be light- 
ened if the cotton be first covered with mosquito net- 
ting and lightly tacked before covering with sateen. 
When the sateen becomes soiled cut the tacking and 
remove sateen and wash. Hang the cotton covered 
with the netting on the line in the sunshine to air, then 
return to covering and tack as before. 

TO WASH CORSETS. 

After soaking corset for half an hour, spread it on 
a table or any flat surface ; take a good stiff scrubbing 
brush and scrub inside and outside, rinse thoroughly, 
and when partly dry, iron. 

TO RESTORE LIGHT DRESS. 

If you have an old, faded party dress or waist of 
net or thin silk, buy the tube paint used for painting, 
mix with gasoline and immerse the article to be dyed. 
Be sure of the shade before dipping. Try and get a 
small sample from some part of the dress to try the 
color. If too vivid add gasoline, and more paint if too 
pale. This works wonders. 



146 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO WASH RUCHINGS. 

Put in a wide-mouthed bottle or jar and cover with 
gasoline; cover and leave it set for about two hours; 
shake thoroughly and pour off the gasoline, rubbing 
a little between the hands, if necessary. If a little 
stiffness is desired rinse in clear water to which a 
spoonful of sugar has been added, and dry without 
wringing. 

WASHING SILK GLOVES. 

To wash light colored silk gloves satisfactorily, put 
them on the hands, fasten at the wrists, then with a 
soft nail brush and lather of soap, scrub over the gloves 
carefully. Rinse well ; remove from the hands and 
hang them so they will dry quickly. 

TO SIMPLIFY LAUNDERING. 

Take a bar of any good laimdry soap, cut and boil in 
one gallon of water until all dissolved, then add scant 
cup of kerosene. Let all come to a boil. Then fill 
a tub two-thirds full of cold water, pour in the mix- 
ture, put in all your white wash and let stand over 
night. In the morning wring out and scald and rinse 
in the usual way. You will find your wash clean and 
of snowy whiteness, with little labor. 

TO SET THE COLOR IN WASH GOODS 

before laundering depends somewhat on the color of 
the garment. Green, blue, pinkish purple, lavender and 
aniline reds should be soaked in alum water for ten 
minutes, using four ounces to a tub of water. Black 
and white, gray, purple and dark blue should be soaked 
in salt water, using a handful of common salt in a tub 
of water. Dry these colored clothes in the shade. It 
is a good idea, before a new colored shirt waist or 
dress is washed, to test a piece of the material ; let it 
soak in the alum water or salted water ; then dry and 
press it, observing the result. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 147 

STOCKINGS AND UNDERWEAR. 

To wash silk and underwear first soak for ten min- 
utes in fairly strong borax water, then wash rapidly, 
rubbing as little as possible, through good white soap 
suds about blood warm. Hotter water makes knit 
silk harsh and crinkly. Squeeze out the suds, but do 
not wring. Rinse through two waters of the same 
temperature as the suds and hang to dry without 
wringing. 

FRESHEN SOILED RIBBONS. 

Make a suds of white soap and cold water. Through 
this draw the ribbon a few times, passing the hand 
gently over the soiled surface without wrinkling the 
ribbon. Rinse in cold water. Stretch a clean towel 
tightly across the knees and draw the ribbon briskly 
over this until it is nearly dry, stretching it with both 
hands to make it smooth and keep the edges straight; 
then press with a hot iron, placing a thin cloth over 
the ribbon. 

WHEN A SWEATER NEEDS WASHING. 

Try drying on a coat hanger. It will not be so liable 
to stretch, and will keep its shape much better. 

RINSING CLOTHES. 

When rinsing clothes in hard water if a half cupful 
of milk is put into the water the bluing will not streak 
the clothes. 

KEEP PINK CLOTHES IN COLOR. 

Use red ink in the running water instead of bluing. 

KEEP OLD KID GLOVES, PREVENT 
CALLOUSES. 

Keep old kid gloves for ironing day. Sew a pad 
of kid from the left glove in the palm of the right one. 
The protection from the heat and weight of the iron 



148 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

will do much to keep the ironer's hands becoming 
calloused. 

USE OF LYE. 

Many housewives are afraid to use lye to break the 
hard water for the weekly washing. The reason for 
this fear is that they do not know how much lye to 
add to the water. If they will follow instructions they 
will be amply repaid. 

Have ready a real large galvanized tub, also a large 
ten-gallon bucket or water pail. 

Two large buckets of hard water require one table- 
spoonful of lye. Let stand over night. Next morning 
take clear water from the tub, but do not stir the 
contents in the bottom. Place the clear water on the 
stove, begin washing, and boil your clothes in this 
water. You will have beautiful white clothes and your 
hands will be uninjured. 

TO CLEAN WIRE LINE. 

Sprinkle a woolen cloth with coal oil and rub the 
line with this. Then sprinkle the cloth with a good 
cleaning powder and go over it again. The line will 
be perfectly clean, not leaving a mark on the clothes. 

DYEING LACE. 

To dye lace or embroidery to match colored dresses 
put a little oil paint, the nearest color of your dress, 
in a cup and dissolve with gasoline. When dissolved 
add enough gasoline to cover the lace and test a piece 
of the lace. If too dark add more gasoline, if too light 
add more dissolved paint until the right shade is ob- 
tained. The odor will soon leave the lace and the dye 
will not wash out. 

DOING UP LINEN COLLARS. 

To ''do up" white linen collars with a laundry finish : 
For one-half dozen collars blend well in cold water 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 149 

two large tablespoonfuls of lump starch ; over this pour 
nearly a quart of boiHng water, stirring constantly; 
place over the fire and boil for five minutes. When 
this starch is cool enough to put the hands in take 
each collar, which has been well washed and dried, 
and rub the starch in well on both sides ; go over 
the surface of each thoroughly and rub the collars 
between your hands several times, putting on plenty 
of the warm starch. The secret lies in getting the 
starch well into the dry collars. Roll up and leave over 
night. With an old soft piece of cloth rub the surplus 
starch off each collar before you iron it. Before plac- 
ing the iron on the wet collar, lay over it, first on one 
side and then on the other, an old linen handkerchief; 
just run the iron over quickly once or twice, then re- 
move the handkerchief. This keeps the iron from 
sticking to the collar. Now iron the collar until it is 
perfectly dry, turn it over by hand, and button the ends 
together to have it shaped nicely. 

WASHING MADRAS CURTAINS. 

Madras curtains or others that are too old or fine 
to wash in the regular way, may be put in a pillow 
case and washed without fear of tearing. There is a 
dye that may be put into the starch after washing ecru 
curtains that gives them their natural color back and 
makes them look like new. This dye comes in tubes 
and in different colors. 

TO PREVENT IRONS FROM STICKING. 

Rub irons with a flannel cloth soaked with kerosene 
oil. It will keep them free from rust and no starch 
will stick to them. 

TO PREVENT MOLD. 

A small quantity of carbolic acid added to paste, 
mucilage and ink will prevent mold. An ounce of 



150 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

the acid to a gallon of white wash will keep cellars 
and dairies from the disagreeable odor which often 
taints milk and meat kept in such places. 

ABOUT ART MUSLIN CURTAINS. 

Art muslin curtains should never be washed in warm 
water. Put them into a lather of nearly cold water. 
If the curtains are green add a little vinegar. If pink 
or lilac, a little ammonia. Salt will set the color of 
black muslins. 

TO REMOVE MILDEW. 

Should white clothes become mildewed, soak for a 
short time in a pail of water to which has been added 
a heaping teaspoonful of chloride of lime ; hang in the 
sun to bleach and repeat until the spots have all dis- 
appeared, then wash out as usual. 

PREVENT FADING. 

To keep summer fabrics from fading use one-half 
teaspoon of dye — any kind will do — the color of the 
material washed. Add one gallon of water. Rinse the 
article thoroughly in this water and the goods will 
retain its color as if new. 

HANDY POCKET ON IRONING BOARD. 

Take a piece of denim about twelve inches square; 
after being hemmed all around, form a box plait at the 
bottom and tack to back of ironing board for a pocket 
to hold ironholder, wax, etc. 

ECONOMICAL CLEANING PAD. 

An economical and really excellent pad for cleaning 
and testing hot irons is made of several layers of heavy 
brown paper. This may be renewed each ironing day 
and is quite satisfactory. For a fine polish a little 
wax or paraffin should be used. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 151 

INK ON CLOTHING. 

Saturate the spots with spirits of turpentine and let 
it remain several hours; then rub between the hands. 
They will crumble away without injuring the color of 
the fabric. Then wash ofif with a little ammonia in it. 

USE IRONING WAX HANDLES. 

The little wooden handles from used ironing wax 
can be made to serve the same purpose over and over 
again. Melt the paraffin or wax until liquid then pour 
it into small molds. When stiff enough insert the 
handles and let stand until solid. To remove from 
the mold, plunge first into hot, then cold water, and 
you can lift them out by the handle. Old salt cellars 
are good for molds. 

IRON RUST REMOVER. 

Wet the rust spots with water, then cover them 
thickly with cream of tartar. That the cream of tartar 
will remain on the spots roll the garment so and place 
it in a vessel with cold water and bring to the boiling 
point. The spots will have disappeared. This method 
is quick and effectual. 

TO REMOVE IODINE STAINS. 

When iodine is spilled on anything dip into sweet 
milk before putting into water and the stain will be 
removed at once. A number of changes of milk must 
be made if the iodine is strong. When the stain is 
nearly all removed by the milk lay the stained part 
in the sun, which will draw it all out. 

TO WASH IRONS. 

Make a good soapsuds in a dish large enough for a 
flat iron. As each iron is taken from the stove dip it 
into the suds lightly. There is no danger of burning 
the hands, as the hot iron being placed in the water 



152 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

throws the steam to the sides instead of straight up, 
as when water is boiling. This cleans the irons and 
makes them much smoother than any wax, and there 
is no danger of any grease getting on the clothes. 

TO HEAT IRONS QUICKLY. 

If you want to heat irons in a hurry for pressing 
put an iron skillet over them. They will heat in half 
the time and stay hot. 

INK STAINS ON CARPET. 

A carpet stained with ink can be cleaned by squeez- 
ing lemon juice on the spot and covering with salt. 
Let it remain thus for several hours and wash with a 
flannel rag wrung out of warm water and a little 
ammonia. 

PLACE CLOTHES IN TWO PILES WHEN 
IRONING. 

To avoid assorting them later. Those that need 
mending may be put in one lot, and those which are 
whole may be put in another. While ironing it is easy 
to notice a torn place or where a button is missing. 

TO REMOVE IRON SCORCH. 

To remove a scorch mark caused by a hot iron on 
woolen dress goods as follows: Rub marked surface 
of goods with a silver dollar for a few minutes and 
you will see the mark will disappear altogether. 

TO REMOVE IRON RUST. 

Cut a tomato and rub the rust stain with this and 
lay article in hot sun and the stain will disappear. 

A GALVANIZED TUB HELP. 

The popularity of the galvanized tub, due to its light 
weight and durability, is the cause of a great many 
people discarding the wringer on account of their in- 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 153 

ability to fasten it to the tub securely. If a piece of 
heavy cloth is hung across the tub where the wringer 
is fastened, 3^ou will find that it will fasten and hold 
as securely as to the old-fashioned wooden tub. 

TO REMOVE GUM. 

To remove gum from any fabric, soak in kerosene 
and it will soften so it can be easily removed. 

GLYCERINE. 

One of the innumerable uses to which glycerine 
may be put is cleansing material on which coffee has 
been spilled. The dark stain and even the grease spot 
from the cream are easily removed. The material 
should be carefully rinsed in lukewarm water and 
pressed on the wrong side. 

TO REMOVE GREASE. 

To remove grease from the finest fabric, one pint of 
rain water — if the water is hard use borax — one ounce 
ammonia, one-fourth teaspoon saltpeter, one-half 
ounce of shaving soap cut fine ; mix all together. Put 
a pad of cotton or blotting paper under the spot in the 
garment when rubbing it. 

GASOLINE CLEANING. 

To remove the grimy appearance sometimes result- 
ing from gasoline cleaning, use any good white soap. 
Rub on garments and use exactly as in water; rinse 
in clean gasoline and dry in the sun. With most satis- 
factory results any fabric or any color gloves may be 
cleaned most beautifully in this way. 

HARD SOAP LASTS LONGER. 

Keep a supply of laundry soap on hand and remove 
wrappers so that the soap will become hard before 
using. It will last twice as long as when used fresh 
and soft. 



154 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

HINT TO WASHERWOMAN. 

When you are ready to buy a new oilcloth for your 
table take your old one and cut it up for aprons. Have 
it cover the whole front of your skirt, and make a 
large bib on it and you will find, when you are through 
washing, that you will be as dry as you were before 
you began. 

FADED PINK GARMENTS. 

The most faded and washed out pink garments can 
be made like new by putting a handful of red crepe 
paper in the rinsing water. It will be a beautiful peach 
pink. The same can be done with lavender, only use 
purple crepe paper. It always colors evenly and can 
be dipped quickly into starch afterwards. I have worn 
a pink linen dress for over four years, and with the 
necessary alterations it is like a new dress today. 

SOFT FLANNELS FOR BABY. 

Before making up the flannels for the baby, to pre- 
vent hardening or shrinking, put into clean, cold water 
for a week, changing every day; then wash in warm 
water with pure wool soap to remove oil. 

TO REMOVE FRUIT STAINS. 

For clothes you cannot pour boiling water on, fruit 
stains may be removed by soaking in clear water over 
night. Do not use any soap as it will set the stain. 

DYE FADED EMBROIDERY. 

I had some handsome linen pieces that had been 
richly embroidered in colors, but had become faded, 
though wash silk had been used for it. As they were 
of no use at all, it occurred to me to dye them all one 
shade. I bought a package of dye that could be used 
for both silk and cotton, and dipped the pieces ac- 
cording to directions. I used a dull green shade, as 
that color harmonizes best with my living room things 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 155 

and the pieces are in constant use. I pressed them 
while they were still damp on a thick pad, and the em- 
broidery seems a trifle darker than the linen, which 
makes the work show to better advantage. 

FLOUR SUDDEN LEAK. 

Should the wash boiler spring a sudden leak when 
full of clothes, apply dry flour to the leak on the out- 
side, and save your time and temper. 

A CLEAN FIRE BRICK FOR A FLAT IRON 
STAND. 

This will cause the iron to retain its heat much 
longer than the usual metal stand. The latter not only 
permits air to pass under the bottom of the iron, but 
also conducts the heat from it; whereas the brick, 
being almost a non-conductor, keeps the heat much 
longer in the flat iron itself. 

HOW TO STRETCH CURTAINS. 

If you use flour instead of starch you will be sur- 
prosed to see how pretty it makes curtains look, and 
they stay clean and stiff longer than with lump starch. 

TO LAUNDER LACE CURTAINS. 

Fold the curtains twice lengthwise with heavy 
worked edge inside, then fold four times the other 
way; keep curtains folded in this manner as they are 
put through the water and starched, only unfolding 
when they are ready to be stretched. In this way cur- 
tains which seem ready to fall to pieces may be laun- 
dered with success. 

TO PRESERVE COLORS. 

To wash delicately tinted fabrics and have them 
retain their color, make a large handful of thin flour 
starch. When sufficiently cool take one-half of the 
starch to wash the garment in, rubbing carefully by 



156 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

hand, when all the soil has been removed, rinse in a 
clean portion of starch, hang in the shade to dry. Sten- 
ciled curtains are nicely laundered in this way which 
would fade if washed in the usual way or sent to be 
dry cleaned. 

TO BLEACH CURTAINS. 

To bleach take a few tansy leaves, put them in a 
bag and boil curtains. Either fresh or dry tansy. 

CREAM SPOTS. 

Spots of cream always spoil the appearance of an 
afternoon tea cloth without warranting its dispatch 
to the laundry. If the spots are lightly touched with 
household ammonia, the stained portion of the cloth 
ironed over a piece of clean white blotting paper, all 
traces of the grease should vanish. 

WHEN CLEANING CLOTHES WITH 
GASOLINE. 

After cleaning clothes with gasoline the ring left 
around the part can be removed by steaming over the 
tea kettle. 

WHEN WASHING A COTTON RUG 

which is too large to put through a wringer, use an 
ordinary rolling pin and run it several times over the 
rug, which may be spread on the grass. The water 
will run of? in little streams. 

SET COLOR IN WASH GOODS. 

To about three-fourths pail of hot water add one 
handful of salt and two tablespoons turpentine. Put 
material into this, and let remain until water is cold. 
This will set the colors permanently, and neither sun 
nor washing will fade them afterward. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 157 

CLEAN AND PROTECT CLOTHES PINS. 

When clothes are removed from boiler on wash day, 
put clothespins in boiling water for a few minutes and 
they will not soil clothes nor break so easily. 

TO WASH COMFORTERS. 

Wet the comforters, then rub well with naphtha 
soap, hang on the line and turn the hose on them 
until the water runs clear. Let them hang until dry, 
then shake them out and your comforters will be light 
and fluffy like new ones. 

WHEN WASHING SUMMER DRESSES. 

Keep the delicate colors from fading by this process : 
Dissolve one tablespoon of powdered alum in each 
gallon of lukewarm water needed for the immersion 
of the garment. Rinse thoroughly in this alum water, 
then wring slightly and put into a suds made of warm 
water and white soap. Wash carefully, using as little 
soap as possible. Rinse well in two waters, wringing 
the garment as dry as you can, then put it through 
some very thin cooked starch. Wring, shake out and 
hang wrong side out in a shady place in the open air. 
Sprinkle as evenly as possible, and let it lie tightly 
rolled for not more than a half hour before ironing it. 

BLUING. 

Five cents' worth of Chinese blue dissolved in one 
quart of water makes excellent bluing and will last 
a family a year. 

LAUNDRY BAGS. 

A handy laundry bag is made as follows : From 
denim, ticking or heavy unbleached muslin cut a piece 
20x36 inches, cut another piece 22x36 inches. This 
latter piece is the front and is slightly wider to make 
a pouch. The back is longer than the front, the extra 
length falling over the rod, forming a flap. The bot- 



158 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

torn is buttoned together so that the clothes may fall 
out when the buttons are unfastened, instead of taking 
out at the top. Fasten the top to a curtain rod, which 
may be placed on the back of a closet door. 

WHEN WASHING BLANKETS 

have the rinsing water soapy, and have all the waters 
the blankets pass through the same temperature. The 
soapy rinsing water insures lightness and fluffiness. 

BORAX WILL CUT SOAP. 

One tablespoon of borax in your rinsing water will 
cut the soap grease from your clothes and make them 
beautifully white. Remove scum as it rises or it will 
stick to the clothes again. 

BLEACH CLOTHING. 

If you have clothes that have become yellow from 
any cause, try soaking them in buttermilk for a few 
days. The sourer the milk, the better — in fact, if it 
has ^'whiskers'' on it will do the work so much better. 
Put the milk in an earthen jar or use a granite-ware 
utensil, as tin or iron will rust the clothes. Put the 
clothes to be bleached in the milk and let them soak 
for three days; stir them and shake them up every 
day. After they have soaked three days wash them 
in the usual manner, and no matter how yellow they 
were before giving them the ''buttermilk treatment," 
they will be as white as one could wish. This treat- 
ment does not injure the most delicate fabric, which 
is more than can be said for most bleaches. This same 
treatment will also remove mildew. 

WHEN THIN DRESSES NEED REFRESHING 

but are not much soiled, put a tablespoon of borax in 
a small bowl of water, take a clean cloth, dip it in the 
solution and dampen the entire dress; then press on 



tool HOUSEHOLD HINTS 159 

the wrong side with a hot iron. The borax will give 
just enough stiffness. 

ECONOMY IN DRESS. 

It is no unusual experience to find half a dozen wash 
dresses belonging to members of the family too faded 
after several washings to be wearable, while in other 
respects they are perfectly good. They can easily be 
turned into fresh white costumes to be worn at home 
all fall and winter. 

First have all the dresses washed and all the spots 
taken out — fruit stains with boiling water, iron rust 
with salt and lemon juice. After rinsing thoroughly 
put them to soak in lukewarm water in which chloride 
of lime has been dissolved. Use about two tablespoons 
to a gallon of water. Soak an hour or two, then rinse 
in clear water, and it will be found that the last vestiges 
of the once dainty stripes and figures have entirely 
disappeared. 

The dresses can then be worn white or can be col- 
ored some light shade. Sometimes colored dress linens 
that have become faded by exposure in store windows 
can be bought cheap, and these may be whitened in 
the same way. 

AVOID TEARING CURTAINS. 

When washing fine lace curtains make good soap 
suds. Never rub curtains on the board, but squeeze 
them with both hands to prevent tearing the netting. 
When ready for the boiler put one or two curtains in 
a pillow slip, not more than two in one slip. When 
taking them out of the boiler you will not tear them, 
as when taking them out alone, for the weight of the 
water cannot tear the netting. 



WARDROBE 



WHEN MAKING WORK DRESSES IN SHIRT 
WAIST FASHION. 

If two waists are made for one skirt they will last 
about the same length of time, as the waists will soil 
sooner than the skirt and are subject to more wear. 
Use the waists alternately, so that both will fade alike. 

WASH PETTICOATS 

will last twice as long if a piece of tape will be stitched 
around the bottom. 

TO MEND WOOLEN CLOTHES. 

To mend woolen clothing, use ravellings of same 
goods, and if neatly done the mend will be almost in- 
visible. 

TO CLEAN WOOLEN DRESS 
lay on an ironing board, cover well with cornmeal, 
rub the meal into the dress with a soft cloth until 
thoroughly clean. Then whisk the dress until all the 
meal it out. 

SCISSORS ARE SO USEFUL IN THE KITCHEN 

that a pair should be bought especially for that room. 
Raisins are nicer cut than chopped; grape fruit and 
oranges are more easily scooped from their skins if the 
pith is clipped in a few places; lettuce may be cut in 
ribbons, and celery cut up for salad. Indeed, the uses 
of the kitchen scissors are innumerable. 

161 



162 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO RENEW OLD VELVET. 

Get a flatiron hot, have someone hold it, or place it 
on something with large side up, as you will need both 
hands to hold the velvet. Place a wet cloth over the 
iron, hold the velvet over the steam, brushing with a 
nice soft brush. This will take out every crease and 
make the velvet look like new. This certainly is fine. 
If you wish to freshen crushed velvet bows without 
untying them, heat a curling iron, cover it with a 
damp cloth and insert in the loops, opening the curler 
wide. The steam will cause the nap to rise, and after 
brushing with a soft whiskbroom the bows will look 
as well as when new. 

FOLD A VEIL AND PIN IT IN YOUR HAT 

and thus be prepared for a shower, which may find 
you without an umbrella. If one has a hat with ostrich 
feathers the veil will always be ready for unexpected 
dampness. Take a chiffon veil, brown or black, fold it 
as small as possible, and pin it in the lining in the 
crown of your hat securely. 

WHEN PUTTING AWAY YOUR WINTER 
CLOTHES 

lay a sheet on the floor and line it with several thick- 
nesses of fresh newspapers pinned on to overlap one 
another. Moths have strong aversioin to printer's ink. 
Shake and brush each garment well outdoors and re- 
move any spots, then hang it on a clotheshanger, and 
lay it smoothly on the sheet, folding the latter loosely 
around it like a bag and pinning it securely. Hang 
up, and the contents will come out unspoiled in the 
autumn. 

RENEW WORN EDGING. 

When embroidery on a white petticoat begins to 
wear out, put a couple rows of machine stitching close 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 163 

together and just above where embroidery has frayed; 
then cut the worn part off close to the stitching and 
finish the edge with narrow lace put on by overcasting 
it to the skirt on the wrong side. 

WHEN PUTTING AWAY WHITE DRESSES 

wrap them in dark blue cambric to prevent them from 
turning yellow, or a large sheet may be made very blue 
with ordinary bluing, dried, then rinsed again in bluing 
and thoroughly dried once more, and this blue sheet 
may be hung over white clothes in the attic to keep 
them from yellowing. Fine centerpieces and doilies 
not in common use should be kept wrapped in blue tis- 
sue paper. 

TO CLEAN WHITE GLOVES 

wash the gloves in gasoline until perfectly clean. While 
still wet lay on a white cloth and cover thoroughly 
with flour on both sides. This will form, a paste. When 
dry shake off the flour and the gloves will be soft and 
white. 

USING A WARM IRON WHEN CUTTING OUT 

CLOTH 

will do away with pins and weights on tissue-paper 
patterns. Lay the pattern on the material and press it 
lightly with a warm iron. The pattern will cling to 
the cloth. 

TO HOLD WAIST IN PLACE. 

Instead of tying tape to your shirtwaist or sewing it, 
buy a piece of rubber about one-half of an inch wide 
and two or three inches smaller than your waist meas- 
ure. Sew a hook on one end and an eye on the other 
and put it around your waist. It will hold your waist 
in place better than a tape and will not make a knot 
in front like a tape. 



164 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

WHEN MAKING NEW WORK DRESSES 

buy enough material to make petticoats to wear with 
them. Colored skirts are neat in appearance, and white 
skirts will keep clean longer if worn only when you are 
dressed for the afternoon. Plain blue gingham, or a 
striped galatea, makes a satisfactory morning dress. 

WATERPROOF SOLES. 

When you have your shoes half-soled take the soles 
of a pair of old rubbers and have your shoe repairer fit 
the rubber soles to your shoe and put them between 
the old sole and the new layer of leather which he sews 
on. A shoe fitted in this manner is a fine thing for 
persons who work on wet cement floors or in other 
damp places. The rubber layer not only serves to 
keep the feet dry, but also acts as a cushion. By put- 
ting the rubber layer between the two layers of leather, 
the rubber is saved from quick wear and the sole of 
the foot is not in contact with the rubber. 

SEPARATE FLOUNCES FOR PETTICOATS 

may be fastened to the skirt in the following manner : 
Edge both the foundation skirt and the top of the sepa- 
rate ruffle with large beading, then place one edge over 
the other and run a ribbon through. By this plan one 
cotton skirt may have several silk ruffles to match dif- 
ferent dresses, and with lingerie petticoats it saves 
washing, as the flounce becomes soiled sooner than the 
rest of the skirt. 

TO PUT A VEIL ON A LARGE HAT 

is quite a problem for many people. The following 
suggestion, which is guaranteed to be Parisian, will 
help many to make their veils look neat and fit well 
over a big hat: Along the top edge of the veil make a 
narrow hem, and run through it a narrow lutestring 
ribbon. Arrange the veil neatly under the chin and pin 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 165 

it firmly at the back with a long, narrow barrette ; then 
pull the veil up over the brim of the hat, draw the 
ribbon tightly and tie at the back, tucking in the ends. 

RESTORING VEILS TO FRESHNESS. 

A professional renovator gave the following valuable 
method of restoring a net veil to its original freshness. 
As that item is always one of considerable expense to 
a lady's wardrobe, I pass it in for the benefit of our 
feminine readers : First, shake free from dust, and if 
it is not torn anywhere but simply limp and stringy 
from stretching and tying, wind it smoothly on a 
wooden roller. A towel roller or broom-handle will 
do. Then pin securely in several places to keep it tight. 
Saturate the whole with alcohol, and allow to dry be- 
fore removing. 

ECONOMY IN SHOES. 

When white kid slippers have become too soiled to 
admit of cleaning, have a cobbler dye them black and 
then polish with dull polish. They are soft and com- 
fortable and make neat looking house shoes. 

CLEAN STRAW HATS. 

Make a strong suds with any white soap and a little 
ammonia; lay hat on the table and, using a small rug 
brush, scrub hat with suds ; rinse well, then put a cord 
through top with knot on outside, hang in a barrel or 
box, so it can swing freely. Have ready pieces of sul- 
phur cloth, which may be done by dissolving sulphur 
in old tin and laying strips of cloth in it till covered. 
Lay these on an old pie tin and place under the barrel 
and light with a match, and when hats become dry 
they will look like new. 

SUBSTITUTE FOR SKIRT HANGER. 

If one is traveling or otherwise minus a skirt hanger, 
fold the skirt once or twice and insert a large safety 



166 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

pin in the band end and hang on the hooks. It will 
be found an excellent substitute. 

SAVE STOCKINGS. 

Paste a piece of chamois leather on the inside of the 
heel of the shoe. This will prevent it rubbing the 
stocking and so delay the appearance of holes. 

REMOVE SPOTS. 

To remove grease or similar spots from clothing 
with gasoline without leaving the objectionable ring 
when dry, first dampen with water around the spot to 
be cleaned. Sponge spot inside of ring with gasoline 
in the usual way. Hang in the open air a few minutes 
and press. This will positively leave no ring. 

STRAW HAT CLEANER. 

Dissolve one rounding teaspoonful of oxalic acid 
crystals in one cup of warm water. With a small brush 
scrub the hat thoroughly, being careful not to get any 
of the acid on the hands. Rinse well with clean, cold 
water. Hang in the sun to dry. It will be like new. 

STARCH POWDER. 

To keep hands soft and prevent chapping take com- 
mon starch and rub it into a fine, smooth powder, put 
into clean tin box, and when the hands are removed 
from the dish water rinse in clean water, and while 
they are still damp rub a pinch of the starch over them, 
covering the whole surface. 

SALT TONIC. 

When you come in from a long, tiresome walk, try 
giving the feet a hot footbath of salt water, while you 
sip a cup of warm milk with a pinch of salt in it. A 
daily bath of salt water or a rub from a salt towel will 
prove wonders for nervous people. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 167 

SPONGE CLEANER. 

By rubbing a fresh lemon thoroughly into a soured 
sponge and rinsing it several times in lukewarm water 
it will become sweet as when new. 

TO TIE SHOE LACES. 

To prevent shoe laces from coming undone, tie the 
laces in the usual manner, but before tightening the 
bow pass its right-hand loop through the knot in the 
center. Then draw the bow tight and it will stay tied 
until you pull the string to undo it. 

TO MAKE SHOES WATERPROOF. 

Dissolve beeswax; add a little sweet oil to thin it. 
Before the shoes are worn, warm the soles and pour 
wax on with a teaspoon and then hold it close to the 
fire until it soaks in the leather. Add more until the 
leather ceases to absorb it. 

REMOVE SHINY SPOTS. 

For taking shine from woolen clothes, men's suits in 
particular, make a solution of warm water and borax, 
one tablespoonful to each quart of water. Rub shiny 
parts with this and then press while damp. When 
completed garment will look like new. 

TO REMOVE PAINT FROM CLOTHING. 

Mix in a cup equal parts of turpentine and ammonia 
and apply the solution to the paint with a piece of cloth 
the same color as the garment. Rub gently the way of 
the nap until the paint is removed, then sponge with 
warm water and a little white soap. This will not in- 
jure any fabric which will stand water. 

WASH PUFFS IN GASOLINE. 

To make hair pufifs, switches and pompadours look 
like new, wash in gasoline and rinse in clean gasoline ; 
hang in open air to dry. 



168 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO CLEAN PLUMES. 

Take one pint of naphtha, bought in a paint store 
and not from a druggist, and put in your plume, flat- 
tening it down, and brush the plume thoroughly with 
a toothbrush from the center of the plume to the ends, 
first from one side and then from the other. After care- 
ful brushing for about fifteen minutes shake, and then 
put into another basin of clean naphtha, consisting of 
one pint of the liquid. In this rinse the plume thor- 
oughly, and then shake until dry, which takes only a 
few minutes. When dry hold over fire, either gas or 
coal fire, and shake it, being careful not to get it too 
close to the fire. By putting salt on the coals the 
plume will curl beautifully, and should a few straight 
fibers remain these can be curled by means of either a 
dull knife or a dull pair of shears. 

PROLONG LIFE OF PARASOL. 

Every one knows how a silk parasol or umbrella will 
split in the folds after being laid aside for any length 
of time. Avoid this when putting the parasol away by 
placing in each fold a loose roll of tissue paper. This 
keeps the fold open and prevents the sharp crease 
which splits the silk. Then slip a bag over the parasol, 
run a tape in the hem and draw together, and it is 
ready to hang away. 

If the parasol is white or partly white blue the bag 
with wash bluing, as this will keep the silk white. 

TO PROTECT A HAT IN AN OFFICE. 

Where there is no closet, shelf or convenient place 
for a hat, try this plan: Place the coat on a hanger 
on a hook and suspend from the neck of the hanger a 
half yard of narrow ribbon, which should be tied in a 
knot or a bow. The hat pin is run through the hat, 
then through the loop of ribbon, and finally through 
the other side of hat, holding it securely against the 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 169 

coat. A yard square of muslin or cheesecloth, hemmed 
and cut out at the center of the square to permit the 
top of the clothes hanger to pass through, may be 
thrown over both hat and coat and will protect them 
from dust. 

WHEN PACKING HATS. 

When packing a hat for traveling, place the hat flat 
in a hat box. If it be the mushroom type, stuflf it with 
paper. Take a needle and thread and sew the edge of 
rim to bottom of box, and the task is complete. The 
baggage master might throw your trunk across the 
Chicago river, but your hat will remain intact; not a 
ribbon, flower or foliage will be crushed. 

WHEN PUTTING AWAY THE SUMMER 
CLOTHES 

jot down in the note book just which clothes will be 
needed by each child for another season, or what is 
left from one child to hand down to another. It will 
be found a great help as well as an economy in a large 
family. 

PRESSING RIBBONS. 

Most people press ribbons with an iron. This leaves 
them with a stiff starch gloss, and also wears ribbons. 
Instead of the iron, light the lamp, and when the chim- 
ney is hot take both hands and draw ribbon over the 
chimney. It will look like new, and it leaves a silky 
appearance. 

A PLACKET MAY BE PREVENTED FROM 
TEARING 

by sewing a hook and eye at the very bottom of it on 
the wrong side ; then hook it together and pinch the 
hook down tight. This will prevent a placket in either 
a dress skirt or petticoat from tearing dow^n when it is 



170 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

put on. The same idea may be adapted to little boys' 
trousers. 

WHEN MAKING SHORT UNDERPETTICOATS 

if you face the back breadth all the way up, or even 
half way, you will find that the skirts, whether cotton 
or flannel, will wear twice as long. The back of the 
petticoat is usually in ribbons when the rest of the 
skirt is perfectly good. 

PLASTER PATCH. 

Broken places in wall may be filled with the mixture 
of white sand and plaster paris made into a paste with 
a little water. Cover over with a bit of paper to match 
that on the wall. 

PROTECT RUBBERS. 

To prevent the heel plates of children's shoes wear- 
ing and cutting through their rubbers, glue in pieces of 
felt or thick flannel in the heels where the wear comes, 
and the rubbers will last three times as long. 

TO WASH RIBBONS IN UNDERWEAR 

take them out of the garment and wash separately in 
tepid water with a good white soap, then roll them 
around a tumbler to dry. 

TO RESTORE FADED RIBBONS. 

By adding a little pearlash to a soap lather, faded 
ribbons placed in this will be restored to their natural 
color. Faded breadths of silk can be restored if treated 
in the same manner. 

TO RENOVATE BLACK RIBBONS 

pour a pint of boiling water over a talbespoonful of 
soap bark. Let it stand a few minutes and strain. Lay 
the ribbon on a flat surface and sponge it with the 
liquid. Do not iron the ribbon, but roll it smoothly 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 171 

over a large bottle filled with hot water, and leave it 
there to dry. 

TO MEND RUBBER GLOVES. 

Take the finest needle and a piece of hair and sew 
the tear together by overcasting them like a seam. The 
gloves are like new, perfectly watertight. 

REMOVE SHINE OF GARMENTS. 

Take spirits of turpentine on a small piece of cloth 
and rub on the ''shining" spots — for instance, around 
the collar of a coat after a long w^earing. Rub on and 
the shine will come ofif. Good for spots, too. 

HOW TO COLOR STRAW HATS. 

Color old straw hats with oil paints. Select the 
color; mix the same as for painting; add enough gaso- 
line to thin. Dip material in the dye several times. 
Dry quickly, but not by an open fire. 

TO SAVE SHOE SOLES. 

Warm the soles and apply a heavy coat of tar, which 
has been warmed. Dry it in, and apply two more coats 
before wearing them. Smear the edges as long as they 
will absorb the tar. They will wear like horn, and 
once tried will convince the most skeptical of its value. 
The tar costs but a few cents at gas works. Warm 
it on the stove in a tin dish. 

HOW TO CLEAN OSTRICH PLUMES. 

Lay tips on clean cloth, make a suds of warm water 
and a white soap, then with a toothbrush rub the fibers 
well. Rinse in clean water. Then tie a string to quill 
end and hang near stove ; while wet, comb with small 
end of comb. Now take a dull knife or scissors and 
curl a few fibers at a time ; with a quick, curling motion 
they will dry and curl easily. The feathers will look 
like new. 



172 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

MEND WITH RAVELLINGS. 

Gashes or rents which have been torn in tailored 
suits or any woolen or colored cotton fabric can be 
darned so as not to be noticed, even though in a con- 
spicuous place, by darning neatly with the ravellings of 
the goods, clipping all fraved edges closely and care- 
fully pressing over a thin cloth wrung out of water 
with a hot iron. 

TO PREVENT MOTHS FROM DOING DAMAGE, 

all garments should be aired well on a breezy day be- 
fore putting them away. Choose the day when the 
sun is not very hot. Do not leave clothing out after 
three o'clock in the afternoon, as from that time until 
dark insects of all kinds are hunting their beds. Wash 
blankets and all underwear and have them thoroughly 
dried. All clothing that cannot be washed with soap 
and water should be thoroughly brushed, cleaned by 
other agencies before putting them in the same re- 
ceptacles with the more precious articles. A trunk or 
box well lined with newspapers, clean and dry and 
plenty of them, allowing them to protrude over the top, 
will prove a good place to store winter clothing. Scat- 
ter some whole cloves among the clothes, and tuck the 
papers well around and over them. 

NEEDLE AND THREAD WILL ALWAYS BE 

READY. 

Follow the plan of running a piece of baby ribbon 
through a spool of white cotton and putting the end of 
the thread into a needle, sticking the needle in the rib- 
bon and hanging the spool on your dressing table or 
bureau. When a button comes oflf or you want to 
baste fresh ruching in a waist, you will not have to 
hunt up your workbag. Always rethread the needle 
after using it. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 173 

TO MEND NECK BANDS. 

To mend the neck band of a man's shirt, stitch a 
piece of white tape on the inside of the band ; lap over 
the top and stitch again. Cut the buttonholes with a 
sharp knife and work them over from the inside, as 
few can make a neat looking buttonhole. If the shirt 
is torn below the band, stitch another row on the in- 
side of it; the collar and necktie will hide the stitching. 

TO CLEAN NECKWEAR. 

The daintiest neckwear which is impossible to wash, 
if left over night in air-tight vessel of gasoline, will 
look fresh and clean when carefully dried. 

FOR THE NAILS. 

Before working in the garden, polishing the stove 
or doing other rough work, rub your finger nails over a 
piece of soap. This will prevent the earth from get- 
ting in under the nails; when you wash your hands 
the soap will come out easily. This is recommended to 
people who find it hard to do garden work with gloves 
on their hands. 

OLD SHIRTWAISTS. 

Any woman who has a collection of shirtwaists worn 
out under the arms, torn at the waist and beginning to 
break at the collar, for this condition is reached by the 
fine lingerie ones in such a brief time, it is a shame to 
throw them away, and yet no mending will make them 
wearable. Cut carefully apart at the seams, trimming 
out all worn parts, then using the article whose shape 
will best display the trimming of the waist, make any 
one of the following articles: Guimpe for girl four to 
twelve years old; Dutch collar, using as pattern well- 
fitting ready-made one; trim with frill val.; corset 
cover to slip over head ; nightgown yoke and sleeves ; 
yoke and sleeves for empire dressing sack ; fronts cut in 



174 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

strips for insets for end of dresser scarf; lingerie bag, 
envelope shaped, for nightgown; line with color; lin- 
gerie bag for corset. 

WHEN HOOKS ARE SEWED ON DRESSES 

if they have to be caught through the outside material, 
a neat finish may be secured by making French knots 
where the sewing appears. 

TO KEEP HAIR RIBBONS FRESH. 

Wind them when not in use, around a smooth glass 
bottle, fastening the ends with pins to keep in place 
till wanted. Little girls who ruin many hair ribbons 
will find this a good way to make them last longer. 

NEW HOSE SUPPORTERS. 

When the rubber is worn oflf of the part of the sup- 
porter just above the little knob put there to protect 
the stocking, take a little rubber band and wrap it 
a number of times around the worn rubber, and it will 
be the same as when new. This will make the garters 
which are otherwise useless wear a great deal longer. 

REMOVE INK FROM FINGERS. 

To remove ink from fingers dip fingers and an un- 
burnt sulphur match in water. Rub the match over 
the ink spot until it is entirely removed. 

TO CLEAN FINE LACE. 

Lay a newspaper on a flat surface. Sprinkle thickly 
with fine magnesia. Place lace on magnesia, then 
another coat of magnesia. Cover it with paper, leaving 
heavy weight on top of lace. Leave for several days 
and the lace will be like new. 

TO CLEAN JEWELRY. 

A good way to clean jewelry is to use tepid water in 
which a little ammonia has been put. A tooth brush 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 175 

kept for the purpose will be found useful, especially 
in cleaning rings. Rinse the piece of jewelry in clear 
water or alcohol, and dry carefully with a twisted piece 
of cotton or an old handkerchief. 

LINEN DRESSES WILL KEEP THEIR 
STIFFENING 

longer and look fresher if they are hung in a dry 
closet as soon as they are ironed. 

IF THE LACE OR INSERTING ON CLOTHING 
GETS TORN 

instead of attempting to darn the many holes, which 
is a difficult and tedious task, just lay a piece of plain 
net under the hole, overcast it around the edges, and 
you will find that the torn place is neatly mended. 

NEVER RINSE LACE IN BLUE WATER 

with the idea of improving its color. Real lace should 
be finely rinsed in clear, soft water, or, better still, in 
skimmed milk, which will give it a soft creamy color. 

TO COLOR LACE PINK. 

Pour boiling water over red calico and add a table- 
spoon of vinegar. Insert a sample of your lace and if 
not the right shade dilute the water to make paler or 
boil calico to make a deeper pink. 

TO CLEAN LACE FAN. 

Soak a lace fan for an hour in gasoline to clean it. 
Then spread it out to dry. 

TO SOFTEN LEATHER BELTS. 

If children's leather belts are rubbed with vaseline 
often and wiped dry they will look shiny and wear 
longer. 



176 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

WHEN MARKING LINEN WITH A PENCIL OR 
INDELIBLE INK 

put the material in an embroidery hoop to hold it firm, 
then set a glass paper weight, or other smooth surface, 
directly under the place you wish to mark, and in this 
way you can secure a very satisfactory result. 

GASOLINE A GOOD CLEANER. 

For cleaning porcelain bath tubs, sinks, and the top 
of the gas stove, take a rag saturated in gasoline. This 
works like magic, without leaving any odor. Do not , 
have a light burning while using. 

MONEY CLEANS EYE GLASSES. 

To clean your eye glasses use a soft bank note. It 
will not scratch or mar them and leaves them beauti- 
fully clear. First steam the lenses with your breath, 
then wipe and polish them with a piece of currency. A 
trial will prove this far better than using a handker- 
chief. 

NEAT GLOVE PATCHING. 

To mend gloves use patch of same material. If 
the gloves are long, cut off a little of the tops ; if short, 
use a piece of other glove the same color. Use sew- 
ing silk to match, and if gloves are not white, color 
the spot where the needle has gone through with a 
little ink or water color the same shade as glove. 

GARMENTS HUNG OUT TO AIR. 

Garments that are to be hung out to air should be 
put on hangers rather than to be pinned to the line. 
This prevents sagging or marking with clothes pins. 

GIRL'S BLOOMERS. 

Instead of making little girl's bloomers of the same 
material as the dress, try making them of black perca- 
line. It is strong and firm, holds the skirts out nicely, 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 177 

wears much better than black sateen, and saves such 
a lot of washing. 

TO KEEP EYELETS ROUND AFTER 
WASHING. 

Open them from the under side of the work with a 
stiletto. If this is done two or three times after the 
work has been laundered the eyelets will remain round 
and open. 

WHEN FEATHERSTITCHING. 

When featherstitching lingerie waists or baby 
dresses, it is advisable to use coarse white thread, No. 
12, instead of embroidery cotton. The hard twisted 
thread will keep its outline through repeated wash- 
ings. 

FURS. 

When you put away furs and woolens and want to 
guard against the depredations of moths, pack them 
securely in paper flour sacks and tie them up well. 
This is better than camphor, or tobacco, or snuff scat- 
tered among them in chests and drawers. Before put- 
ting your muffs away twirl them by the cords at the 
ends so that every hair will straighten. Put them in 
their boxes and paste a strip of paper where the lid 
fits on. 

TO CURL OSTRICH FEATHERS. 

When ostrich feathers have become straight from 
dampness, sprinkle a hot skillet with sugar and hold 
the feathers in the smoke, shaking them gently until 
they curl. Feathers need not be removed from the 
hat. 

OLD FOUR-IN-HAND TIES 
may be made into string ties by removing the interlin- 
ing, cutting off the wide part, and turning in the edges 
so that the tie will be the same width from end to end, 



178 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

then slip stitching down the center and pressing under 
a cloth. Or the unworn ends of four-in-hand ties 
may be made into little butterfly bows so much worn 
with shirt waists. 

HOW TO DYE FLOWERS. 

If anyone has flowers of any kind they can be re- 
stored to their original color or made some other 
shade by taking as much dye as the color desired 
and dissolving the same in a small dish of cold water. 
Now take an old tooth brush and touch up the petals 
of the flowers. To ascertain the desired shade just take 
a piece of old muslin and touch the brush up and down 
a few strokes and if a deeper shade is desired, put a 
little more dye in the dish. 

WHEN COLLAR STAYS SCRATCH THE NECK. 

If collar stays scratch the neck a little white sealing 
wax, melted and applied to the ends of the stays when 
they have broken through the casings, will easily re- 
lieve the trouble. 

TO CLEAN CHILDREN'S WHITE FURS. 

Make a smooth paste of flour and gasoline. Rub 
it into the furs; let them stand until dry, then beat 
out the flour. They will be found to be as clean after 
a good airing as could be desired. 

CARE OF TOOTHBRUSH. 

After cleaning your teeth in the morning put your "^ 
tooth brush in a glass of cold water and set in sun for 
one hour. 

CROCHET DARNS. 

After cutting away the worn out heels or toes of 
stockings far enough to reach strong material, take 
wool or cotton of suitable weight and crochet around 
the edge, putting the hook right through the material. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 179 

Continue round and round, narrowing to give the 
proper shape, until the opening is closed, and the result 
is practically a new pair of stockings, neat appearing 
and easy on the feet. 

TO CURL STRAIGHT HAIR. 

If a mother wants her baby girl's hair to become 
curly she should wet it with sweet milk and twist into 
little round curls. Press them closely to the head and 
cover with a thin muslin night cap, and the little locks 
will become curly after a few applications. This 
should be done when putting baby to bed for the night. 

CHILDREN'S UNDERWEAR. 

Bear in mind when making children's underwear 
that bands of unbleached muslin hold the buttonholes 
much longer than those made of bleached muslin. Al- 
ways use the selvage, if possible, for one edge of the 
bands. It is also better to shrink the material. If bands 
or belts must be pieced, do it on the bias, so that when 
the garment is folded the seam will be less clumsy. 
Use cotton tape to face side openings of drawers, etc. 
It is neater than a facing of cloth, and the work may 
be done more quickly by using it. 

BENZINE CLEANS DIAMONDS. 

To clean diamonds dip them in benzine, which will 
make them most brilliant. 

DARN WITH HAIR. 

To darn a small tear in woolen or voile garments use 
a fine needle, thread it with human hair. After being 
well pressed it will defy detection and will not easily 
tear out. 

DRESS SHIELDS LOOPS. 

A better and more convenient way than sewing or 
pinning dress shields in a shirt waist is to make ^ 



180 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

buttonhole loop across the end of each shield and tie 
it into the waist with narrow tape that has been 
sewed to the binding of the armholes. 

DRY CLEANER. 

Moisten a small quantity of cornmeal with gasoline ; 
apply with a soft cloth. This cleaner does not leave 
water rings, and can be used successfully to clean 
kid gloves, waists, skirts, or anything to be cleaned. 
Will not injure the most delicate fabric. 

TO DRY SHOES. 

When boots or shoes are wet through do not dry 
them by the fire. As soon as they are taken oflf fill 
them quite full with oats. The grain will rapidly ab- 
sorb every vestige of dampness from the leather. As 
it takes up the moisture it swells and fills the shoe, and 
in this way keeping its good form and drying the 
leather without hardening it. In the morning shake 
out the oats and hang in a bag near the fire to dry, 
ready for use on another occasion. 

DON'T TEAR APRONS. 

When making kitchen aprons sew pocket on wrong 
side of apron. Just as easy to get at and you are not 
always catching it and tearing it on door knobs, han- 
dles, and nails. 

AN APRON TO COVER AN APRON 

is an original idea that one woman has found a help. 
She wears about her work long sleeved gingham 
aprons that cover her dress completely. To avoid 
the necessity of frequent laundering of these she made 
little aprons of white muslin, three-fourths of a yard 
in length, exactly like those worn by waiters. These 
are slipped over the regular apron for washing 
fishes and cooking. Plenty of these little aprons give 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 181 

her a neat appearance always. They are easily slipped 
off and on. 

TO MEND AMBER. 

To mend amber, warm the surface and dip in linseed 
oil and bring parts together until they are sticky, then 
let cool. 

BORAX DEODORIZER. 

So many are troubled by the odor of perspiration 
from the armpits. An inexpensive and sure remedy is 
simply to bathe well each day with soap and water, 
then dip the wet fingers into dry borax and apply. 

A BATHING CAP 

may be kept in good condition for use another year 
if you sprinkle a lot of toilet powder all over it, inside 
and out, when putting it away. This will prevent it 
from sticking together and rotting before summer 
comes again. 

TO BONE HIGH COLLARS FOR WASH 
BLOUSES. 

Make pockets of tape at the top and bottom of the 
collars, as many as you have bones to put in. When 
the blouse is to be washed slip the bones out of their 
little pockets, and snap them in again when the gar- 
ment returns from the wash. 

TO CLEAN BLACK SILK. 

Black silk can be cleaned by means of hot vinegar 
or black coffee. When thoroughly cleaned it should be 
pressed on wrong side. Be sure to use cloth between 
iron and silk. 

To remove ''shine" from a dark wool material sponge 
it with a solution of common wash bluing and water 
and press it while damp under a thin cloth. 



182 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

TO CARRY BLOUSES IN A SUITCASE. 

With very little crushing place one above the other 
on a padded coat hanger. Lay them in with the width 
of the blouses along the length of the suitcase, so that 
they fold back near the waist line. On arriving at 
one's destination it is very easy to lift out the hanger 
with the waists on it. 

BOOTS. 

New boots which sometimes do not take a good 
polish should be rubbed over with a cut lemon before 
blacking. A cut raw potato will also serve the pur- 
pose, although the lemon is preferable. 

FRESHEN BABIES' RIBBONS. 

How to keep the babies'ribbons always fresh. Wash 
in warm suds of wool soap, rinse in cold water, and 
paste perfectly smooth on a mirror or marble, satin 
side down. When dry they will come off like new. 

KEEP BROOCH FASTENED. 

If you are the owner of a brooch that unfastens 
easily, hold the brooch in the right hand and with the 
thumb and forefinger of the left hand gently bend 
the pin until it is bow shaped ; it will then remain se- 
curely fastened ; or use a small pair of pliers and bend 
the pin as jewelers bend them on the most expensive 
pins. 

WHEN CLEANING SILK SKIRTS. 

A piece of velveteen is better to use for the purpose 
than a brush. It may be taken both to wipe off the 
dust and to rub off spots. 

TO CLEAN COMBS. 

To clean combs quickly and thoroughly dissolve a 
lump of washing soda in warm water, Put the comb 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 183 

in water, rub on both sides with a brush, rinse in cold 
water and put in the air to dry. 

HAIRCURLERS. 

Take a smooth piece of wood, about as large around 
as an ordinary lead pencil, 3 or 3^ inches long. Cut 
little grooves in the ends. Part your hair as usual and 
twist around the wood. Then snap a rubber band into 
the grooves into each end. By dampening the hair and 
doing it up the night before you will have beautiful 
waves. It takes about two hours for it to curl if you 
do it in the morning. Eight curlers are enough for 
the front and back. 

CONVENIENT CLEANER FOR USE OF 
CLOTHES 

may be made of cheese cloth fastened into bags 3 
inches square. Fill the bag with five cents' worth of 
soap bark and sew up the end. When wanted for use, 
place the bag in a basin of warm water, and use as a 
sponge on the article to be cleaned, wiping with a dry 
cloth. After using, dry the bag and it will be ready 
for another time. It is a good idea to make two bags, 
and use one for light material and the other for dark. 
Soap bark will remove spots from clothing in a very 
satisfactory way. Press the goods after cleaning. 

WHEN CLEANING PARASOLS. 

Place parasol in the bath tub, turn on enough clean 
lukewarm water to cover it well. Rub parasol all over 
with a white soap and let soak for ten minutes. Then 
take a small hand brush, and scrub well, especially in 
soiled creases and rinse in a couple of waters. 

If parasol is linen use a little blueing in last rinsing 
water. Open parasol and hang in the sun, until per- 
fectly dry, and your parasol will look as pretty and 
fresh as it did the day you bought it, 



184 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

REMOVE GLOSS FROM CLOTHES. 

Use two tablespoonfuls ammonia, 2 tsp, rum, one 
and one-third tsp. saltpeter, and one quart water. 

This is an inexpensive mixture and removes the 
gloss entirely from dresses or men's clothing. Moisten 
the cloth with the liquid and rub garment as you would 
to clean it. 

PUTTING THE SUMMER CLOTHES AWAY 
IRONED. 

The advantage of having the clothes ready to w^ear 
on the first warm day of spring will be appreciated 
when you unpack the summer clothes ready to wear. 
It is easier to iron in the autumn than in the summer 
and the injury to the material, if there is any, will be 
slight. 

CARDBOARD INSOLES FOR LOW SHOES 

will often keep the moisture from penetrating to the 
feet and prevent the taking of a cold, when you are 
caught in an unexpected rainfall. Cut a pair of insoles 
from cardboard the size of your low shoes and put 
them in your shopping bag to be ready for an emer- 
gency. For the girl who goes out every day they will 
be invaluable. 

LEFTOVER ZEPHYR. 

We hear of uses for almost every kind of ''left overs," 
but take notice how seldom we hear of any sensible use 
for odd bits of zephyr or yarn. Sometimes there is a 
piece of only half a yard in length, then again there is 
quite a little ball. Try the following: Tie all the 
pieces of various lengths together and wind them 
loosely into a ball ; when the ball weighs one ounce, 
start to crochet strips of four or five inches in width 
and a quarter yard long; make as many strips as you 
like and join them with black Germc^ntgwn yarn, and 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 185 

crochet a small scallop or shell all around the edge 
when the cover is the desired size, and use it as a 
couch comfortable. Afghan, or plain crochet stitch 
are two that grow rapidly, and are nice for the purpose. 
If the yarns are of different thicknesses just double the 
thin kind, and the difference will not be noticeable. 

CHAMOIS GLOVES. 

To wash the chamois gloves that are so fashionable 
now, do not rub, but souse them up and down in a 
lather made of soft water and a pure white soap. Rinse 
in cold water, shake out, pull in shape, and lay on 
clean paper until nearly dry. Then rub in between 
hands and lay out again to dry, repeating this process 
until entirely dry. This will keep them from getting 
stiff and unwearable. 

USE FOR OLD YARN. 

All the odds and ends of yarn about the house can 
be put to use by crocheting them together, using the 
chain stitch. Lay in loops about eight inches long. 
Tie in the center with a bow of ribbon and attach this 
to a smooth stick. This makes an attractive duster 
for the nursery. 

FOR THE LITTLE BOYS WHO WEAR WASH 
SUITS ALL WINTER. 

Make a pair of flannel or cloth bloomers the same 
color as the winter coat. If these are put on when the 
boy is going out-doors they will keep him warm and 
also keep the wash suit clean. 



MEDICINE 



USES OF SALT. 

It cleans the palate and furred tongue, and a gargle 
of salt and water is often efficacious. 

A pinch of salt on the tongue, followed ten minutes 
later by a drink of cold water, ojften cures a sick head- 
ache. It hardens gums, makes teeth white and sweet- 
ens the breath. 

Cut flowers may be kept fresh by adding salt to the 
water. 

Weak ankles should be rubbed with a solution of 
salt water and alcohol. 

Bad colds, hay fever and kindred affections may be 
much relieved by using fine dry salt like snuff. 

Dyspepsia, heartburn and indigestion are relieved 
by a cup of hot water in which a small spoonful of 
salt has been melted. 

Salt and water will sometimes revive an unconscious 
person when hurt if brandy and other remedies are 
not at hand. Hemorrhage from tooth-pulling is stopped 
by filling the mouth with salt and water. Weak and 
tired eyes are refreshened by bathing with warm water 
and salt. 

Salt rubbed into the scalp or occasionally added in 
washing prevents the hair falling out. 

Feathers uncurled by damp weather are quickly 
dried by shaking over a fire in which salt has been 
thrown. 

Salt should always be eaten with nuts. 

187 



188 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

SODA IN BATH. 

Dissolve a tablespoonful of bicarbonate of soda in 
your bath. It will neutralize the odor of perspiration 
and is cleansing and cooling. 

WART REMEDY. 

Apply oil of cinnamon often as possible. A camel's 
hair brush may be used, but it is not necessary. A 
five-cent vial has been found sufficient to remove a 
large seed wart. 

A HANDY "NECESSITY BOX." 

Have a box in a convenient place, and keep these 
things in it: Ten cents' worth iodoform, 10 cents' 
worth adhesive plaster, 10 cents' worth carbolic acid, 
some sterilized gauze and surgeon's cotton. 

BITES. 

Apply vaseline and burnt alum; lemon juice for bee 
stings ; common bluing for bites of any insect, or vase- 
line, lard and burnt alum can be applied. 

BURNS. 

Apply thin slices of raw potato, or if you have time 
scrape it and bind tightly. Change often. 

RELIEF FOR BURNS. 

For a burn or scald apply kerosene. It will allay 
the pain almost instantly and quickly heal the injured 
parts. 

A BAG FOR AN INVALID. 

This will give her much pleasure, besides being of 
great service. Make it of pretty material, with long 
drawstrings, so that it may hang on the bedpost yet be 
readily drawn into the bed without the patient's rais- 
ing herself. In the bag may be kept her handkerchief, 
a pencil, pad of paper, and anything she may need 
but may not like to call in somebody to get for her. 
Sometimes a little surprise may be slipped into the 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 189 

bag, and the happiness such a gift will bring may make 
many hours pass pleasantly. 

LEMON COUGH SIRUP. 

Put a large lemon in the oven and allow it to remain 
until thoroughly baked. When done it will be soft all 
the way through. Add enough honey to the pulp to 
make a thick sirup. Keep the sirup warm and take a 
teaspoonful every half-hour. It will relieve hoarse- 
ness in a short while, and is useful where there are 
small children. 

SPEEDY RELIEF FOR CORNS. 

Chew good, fresh gum until flavor is gone. While 
warm from the mouth bind on corn. This removes in- 
flammation and causes corn to peel ofif gradually, giv- 
ing relief. 

GOOD FOR CUTS. 

For a slight cut there is nothing better to control 
the hemorrhage than common unglazed paper such as 
is used by grocers and market men. Bind a piece on the 
cut. 

CAMPHOR CURES COLDS. 

Take gum camphor and dissolve in kerosene, having 
enough so that there is always a little camphor undis- 
solved in the bottom of the bottle. Rub the lame parts 
thoroughly and often with this and you will have re- 
lief. Do not bandage it on as it will blister if used 
that way. This is also an excellent remedy for cold 
in throat or lungs. Rub it in well. 

INDIAN COUGH CURE. 

To five cents' worth of whole flaxseed add three 
pints of water. Boil fifteen or twenty minutes, strain 
and add the juice of three lemons, one-half pound of 
rock candy and one ounce glycerine. Take wine-glass 



190 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

of this three or four times a day and before retiring. 
It will cure the worst cough in three days. 

TO DRAW A SMALL CORK FROM BOTTLE 

use a medium-sized brass cup-hook and draw gently. 
The hook will not break the cork, yet will give pur- 
chase to the hand. The hook may be left in the cork, 
if you choose, to be used each time the bottle is opened. 

CHILBLAINS. 

Pour kerosene oil in a saucer, wring out a rag in it 
and with this wipe the affected parts several times each 
day. If awake in the night, do the same thing. Do 
not saturate the cloth and lay it upon the chilblains, 
as it might cause a blister. Wipe the feet with a damp- 
ened cloth and let them dry themselves. 

CAMPHORATED OIL. 

This is splendid for cuts, bruises, sore throat, bunions 
and lame backs. 

Put a pint of kerosene into a quart bottle; add all 
the gum camphor it will dissolve and shake until the 
camphor is taken up by the oil. Then mix with it a 
half-pint of sweet oil and 5 cents' worth of laudanum. 

Shake vigorously before using. 

SMALL CLOCK BEYOND REPAIR. 

If a small clock is beyond repair do not throw it 
away, but set it aside for use in a sick room. It will 
then be found good to indicate the next time for taking 
medicine. As each dose is given to the patient turn 
the hands to the hour when the next dose will be due. 
This is better than trusting to memory. 

CALISTHENIC BATH. 

The so-called ''calisthenic" bath is most invigorat- 
ing; it is supposed to harden the flesh and makes it 
firm and smooth. It is decidedly refreshing, although 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 191 

it is entirely different from the perfumed beauty bath. 
Some sea salt is dissolved in hot water, which, when 
half cooled, is used as the basis of a brisk sponge bath. 

DOUBLE CHIN. 

Stretching exercises of the throat and neck will re- 
duce a double chin permanently. Hold the chin as 
far up as it will go and with your finger tips massage 
it with a downward motion. Pushing the lower jaw 
in and out is also good. Once or twice a week is often 
enough for such heroic treatment. 

INVALID'S COFFEE. 

A nourishing drink for sick people is made as fol- 

' lows : Make a strong cup of coffee, add cream and a 

little more sugar than usual, and let it all come to a 

boil. Then pour it over a well-beaten egg in a cup 

in which it is to be served. 

COLD REMEDY. 

If ever in the clutches of a. severe cold where an 
active yet unstimulating medicine is required, it will 
be found that by mixing together the 3^olk of one egg, 
one tablespoonful of olive oil and one tablespoonful of 
grated ginger root, and taking all of the mixture for a 
dose, the conditions of a cure will be met. 

CARBOLIC ACID BURN. 

For carbolic acid burn apply vinegar at once, and 
then make a poultice of stale bread and vinegar. This 
holds good for a burn from lye. 

FOR THE CONVALESCENT. 

When recovering from sickness and about ready to 
sit up, practice sitting straight up in bed if only for a 
moment at a time and then lean back on the pillows. 
Do this every jfifteen minutes if possible and you will 
find when able to get out of bed that the giddiness or 



192 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

uncomfortable feeling in the head has entirely dis- 
appeared. 

IF YOU CUT THE TIP OF YOUR FINGER 

when you are busy in the kitchen do not stop to tie a 
clumsy bandage on it, but put a small piece of linen 
over the cut and then put on your thimble until your 
work is done, when you can give the matter better 
attention. 

DOG BITE REMEDY. 

Take white of one Qgg; add enough powdered alum 
to curdle the tgg; beat together, put on cloth, and lay 
on the part inflamed. When dry remove and take 
fresh egg and alum. Continue the same until the in- 
flammation is gone. This will ease and allow the suf- 
ferer to rest from the first application. 

Have saved dog bitten hands from blood poison, 
also have cured all kinds of sores with this simple 
remedy. 

WHITE OF EGGS FOR BURNS. 

One of the best remedies for burns and one which 
every one has on hand is the white of an egg. Several 
applications of this will soothe the pain and effectively 
excludes the air. The white of the tgg should be 
beaten to a froth then spread evenly and smoothly on 
the burn, which will be soothed after several applica- 
tions of the egg. 

EYES. 

Should the eyes feel heavy they may often be fresh- 
ened by bathing with weak salt water, either hot or 
cold. This can do no harm, and by relieving strained 
conditions will frequently improve the luster. One 
woman says she has used a little orange juice in her 
eyes for years without injuring them. A few drops 
are inserted in the eye with a dropper. After the first 
smart the eyes are brighter and clearer. As this might 



lOOl HOUSEHOLD HINTS 193 

be injurious to other women, though not harmful in 
itself, it should not be used without the advice of a 
physician. 

EGG TREATMENT. 

The whites of six eggs, six tablespoonfuls of vine- 
gar, six tablespoonfuls of spirits of turpentine. Mix 
and shake thoroughly. Rub thoroughly and then satu- 
rate flannel with medicine and wrap around the place 
affected. Apply often. Keep bottle well corked. An 
excellent remedy for both rheumatism and sprains. 

FLAXSEED LEMONADE. 

Steep two tablespoonfuls of flaxseed in one quart 
of hot water for ten minutes; stir in the juice of three 
lemons, a large cupful of sugar and a wineglassful of 
wine. Drink either hot or cold. Excellent for persons 
suffering with colds. 

FOR FROSTBITE. 

When hands or feet are frost-bitten or benumbed 
from the effects of cold, the parts should be rubbed 
with camphorated spirit, applied with the utmost gen- 
tleness, so as not to irritate the surface by violent fric- 
tion. When the first effects of cold are removed it 
will be proper to apply cold poultices, for warm appli- 
cations are to be carefully avoided. 

FIG POULTICES. 

Figs split open form excellent poultices for boils an(i 
small abscesses. 

ANOTHER FLAXSEED LEMONADE. 

Over four tablespoonfuls of flaxseed pour one quart 
boiling water, let it steep for four hours, strain through 
piece of linen, and add sugar and lemon juice to taste. 
This is soothing for colds. 



194 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

SORE FEET. 

For sore feet, three parts salicylic acid powder, ten 
parts starch pulverized, and 89 per cent of pulverized 
soapstone. Sift into shoes and stockings. 

FOR A CANKER 

in the mouth, two ounces honey mixed with one-half 
dram of powdered borax or boric acid powder. 

CURE FOR FELON. 

Take one egg, one tablespoonful of strained honey, 
one tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine, flour enough 
to make moist paste, and cover the finger with the 
paste. Renew when this gets dry. This gives speedy 
relief. 

GOODIES FOR COLDS. 

Glycerine and oatmeal made into a paste with rose 
water, constitute an ideal face lotion to remove the 
effects of cold winds. As an addition to the bath 
glycerine scented with rose perfume will impart a de- 
lightful freshness and delicacy to the skin, the propor- 
tions being four ounces of glycerine to one gallon of 
water. For a cough or a cold a tablespoonful of glyc- 
erine in a cup of hot milk gives instant relief. Two 
parts of glycerine and one part of powdered willow 
charcoal also is a help in case of a severe cold. 

CARE OF INVALID'S HAIR. 

When caring for a patient with long, heavy hair, 
arrange it in two firm braids. Fastening two long, soft 
ribbons, or strips of cloth at the top of a braid, wind it 
closely to the end, again securing the strips carefully. 
In this sheath the hair lies smooth and untangled, only 
needing to be cared for once in several days, and giv- 
ing the sick one the least possible annoyance. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 195 

SHAMPOO FOR HAIR. 

For the hair, five drops of kerosene, ten drops of 
olive oil. To this add ten drops of extract of violet 
and rub in thoroughly with the tips of the fingers at 
night. Especially good the day before you are going 
to shampoo your hair. 

FOR HOARSENESS. 

When a voice is lost from the effects of a cold try 
this simple and pleasant remedy: Beat up the white 
of one egg, add to it the juice of one lemon, sweeten 
with white sugar to taste. Take a teaspoonful from 
time to time. 

HURRIED HOT APPLICATIONS. 

When hot applications are hastily required fold sev- 
eral thicknesses of cloth the desired size, dampen and 
lay on a lamp. They will quickly become hot and 
another can be heating while the one is being used. 
No time is lost in heating water, and no hands are 
burned wringing hot cloths. 

UNEQUAL HIPS. 

The girl with unequal hips — the commonest of afflic- 
tions — may cure them, if the inequality be not too 
far advanced, by a ten-minute exercise daily. Bring 
the knee on the larger side up to the chest and lower 
it again, all the while standing as nearly erect as pos- 
sible. Do this twenty or thirty times each day. 

FOR TENDER HANDS. 

Procure 5 cents' worth of pure glycerine and ex- 
actly its weight of tincture of benzoin ; put these in 
a bottle, then add a pinch of salt and half a pint of 
cold water, previously boiled and cooled, shake well 
and it is ready for use. Put a bottle of the lotion in 
the bathroom and another near the kitchen sink ; every 



196 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

time the hands are washed dry them thoroughly on a 
soft towel and apply a small quantity of the foregoing 
liquid. It is not at all sticky or greasy and has a pleas- 
ant odor. It is harmless and comforting for chapped 
faces, especially for little folks after playing outdoors 
on windy days. 

PANACEA FOR HOARSENESS. 

If little ones are hoarse or seem croupy at bedtime, 
use this mixture : Heat together lard and small por- 
tions of camphor, kerosene and turpentine. If cold 
is tight, saturate a light woolen cloth wath this and 
apply to throat and chest, bringing down close under 
arms. Over this put a thin cotton cloth to protect the 
clothing. It is also well to rub the back with the ap- 
plication. This loosens the croup membrane and in a 
few minutes the breathing grows easier and the child 
will sleep. 

TO PREVENT MOIST HANDS. 

When doing plain sewing if you have a little flour 
in a saucer and dip your fingers in occasionally the 
hands will keep free from damp and the work will be 
beautifully clean on the hottest day without washing 
so often as many people do. 

HANDS IN LYE WATER. 

After having the hands in lye water wash them in 
clear water, then wash in vinegar and do not wipe. 
This stops the smarting and leaves the hands soft. 

HANDY MEDICINE CHEST. 

A convenient medicine chest to nail to the inside of 
a door or closet: Take a yard of ticking and bind the 
edges with tape or muslin. Put on four row^s of pock- 
ets, six inches deep, for bottles of all sizes. Below 
these make pockets for string, pieces of white linen, 
salves and pill boxes, pieces of flannel, etc. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 197 

HOSPITAL BOILED EGG. 

An excellent way to boil an egg so as to have it soft 
and fluffy, suitable for convalescents, is to cook it 
eight minutes. The water in the kettle must be boil- 
ing. Turn out the gas on range and carefully place 
egg — which previously has been dipped in warm 
water to remove chill, as sudden change in tempera- 
ture might crack it — in the boiling water and cover, 
leaving upon the unlighted burner to get the heat. 
At the end of eight minutes take egg from shell, salt 
and butter to taste, and you will have a soft, palatable, 
easily digested egg. 

BILIOUS HEADACHE. 

A glass of lemonade without sugar, in which one- 
fourth of a teaspoonful of soda is dissolved, will often 
cure bilious headache. 

HENNA STAIN. 

Henna stain is said to be harmless. It will cause 
brown hair to take on slightly auburn tints. Make a 
strong brew of the dried leaves and apply both liquid 
and paste, washing the hair before the application 
and again afterward. 

HOT RICE WATER. 

Try hot rice water, well cooked, for sick stomach 
or bowel trouble. 

HARTSHORN LINIMENT. 

Take one-quarter ammonia, one-quarter turpentine, 
one-quarter camphor, one-quarter goose oil and mix. 
This simple home-made liniment is especially good 
for neuralgia and other aches, pains and soreness. 

ORANGE JUICE FOR IVY POISON. 

Orange juice is a simple remedy for ivy poisoning. 
Bathe the affected part of the body. The itching and 



198 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

burning will cease and in a few days the skin peels 
without any further spreading. 

TO KEEP ICE IN A SICK ROOM 

put a square, coarse flannel — the more loosely woven 
the better — over a wide-mouthed preserve-jar in such 
a way as to make a bag that does not quite touch the 
bottom of the jar inside. The flannel may be kept 
in place by a rubber band stretched around the neck 
of the jar. Put in the flannel bag the crushed ice that 
the patient is allowed to have and screw on the top of 
the jar. As the ice melts it drains into the jar. This 
preserves the ice longer, and the ice is also easy to 
get when needed. 

IVY POISONING. 

For ivy poisoning wipe ofif with alcohol and water 
or vinegar and water. Then make a thick paste of 
soda and put on the surface affected and let it remain 
until dry, and then put on another poultice. 

INGROWING NAILS. 

An ingrowing nail may be readily cured by the use 
of peroxide of hydrogen. Apply it on a bit of anti- 
septic cotton twisted on the end of an orangewood 
manicure stick. Insert the point of the stick as far 
under the nail as possible, then after carefully cutting 
the nail leave a bit of the moist cotton under it to 
keep it from the flesh. 

ANOTHER REMEDY FOR INGROWING NAILS. 

If a member of your family is troubled with in- 
growing toenails, keep on your medicine shelf a small 
bottle of laudanum. Any druggist will sell you ten 
cents' worth. When needed saturate a little piece of 
antiseptic cotton and place between the swollen flesh 
and the nail, or under the edge of the nail as far as it 
can be pressed without pain. The relief and cure is 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 199 

miraculous. It can be used also for a finger which 
has been cut or mashed close to the nail. 

TO AMUSE AN INVALID 

or to while away the time of a friend who is going on 
a long journey, send a box of ''Limerick Powders," 
with instructions to take as often as needed. Prepare 
them as follows: Write the most amusing limericks 
you can, or copy some that are appropriate, on small 
slips of paper, and fold these just as a doctor folds 
powders. Put them in a small pasteboard box, get- 
ting a suitable one at the drug store, and write on 
the outside the directions as above, signing your 
name. 

KEROSENE A REMEDY. 
Asthma sufferers will find great relief in applying 
a cloth saturated in coal oil to the chest. 

KEEP LUNGS WARM. 

To prevent taking cold on lungs, take three or four 
thicknesses of newspaper and wear over lungs or chest 
under the clothing. 

LIGHT FOR SICK ROOM. 

In the country and small towns where gas and 
electric lights are not to be found, hang a lantern from 
a hook screwed into the bottom of an upper window 
sash on the outside. The light in the room may be 
regulated by raising or lowering the shade. This 
obviates the heat and odor produced by a kerosene 
lamp in a room. 

KEEP LABELS CLEAN. 

In pouring medicine out of a bottle, hold the bottle 
with the label side upward. The label will thus re- 
main perfectly clean, as the medicine will back on the 
opposite side of the bottle. 



200 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

ARRANGE MEDICINES ALPHABETICALLY. 

Placing bottles of medicine in a row alphabetically 
is a convenient and quick way of locating certain 
medicines and drugs when wanted and saves much 
time. 

MUSTARD PLASTER. 

A mustard plaster should not be a heavy, wet mass ; 
it should be light. To prepare one which never will 
blister, proceed as follows: Into a bowl put three 
heaping tablespoonfuls of mustard ; stir well ; next 
three tablespoonfuls of flour; then add sufficient lard 
to form a paste ; spread this on a muslin, and never use 
new muslin for poultices, plasters or any medical pur- 
pose; cover the mixture with two thicknesses of mus- 
lin, and apply to the afflicted part. If a plaster feels 
cold, heat it by letting it lie on a hot plate a few 
minutes before applying it. 

WHEN GIVING STICKY MEDICINES TO 
CHILDREN 

heat the spoon by dipping it for a moment in hot 
water ; then pour in the medicine, and it will slip easily 
from the spoon. 

FOR NAUSEA. 
Inhalations of vinegar will stop bad cases of nausea 
and vomiting. Wet a sponge with vinegar and hold it 
to the nose of the patient. 

WHEN WEARING NOSE GLASSES. 

Every one wearing nose glasses, or ''nose pinchers'' 
as they are sometimes called, has experienced consid- 
erable difficulty keeping them in place, especially dur- 
ing hot weather when one perspires any way freely. 

Remedy: Get five cents' worth of resin at a music 
store (such as violinists use for bows), break off one- 
third and pulverize as flour ; then empty into small pill 
bottle or box convenient to carry in vest pocket or 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 201 

purse; get a little on end of little finger and apply to 
place on nose where pincer sets, then a little on other 
side, and resin being tacky or sticky will hold without 
pincers taking such a grasp on the flesh and cutting in. 

DIETING FOR THE NERVES. 

Many women will find that nervous indigestion will 
follow nervous shock, and with some people it is 
almost chronic. To cure nervous indigestion the at- 
tention must be drawn to the diet and to the exercise 
in to strengthen the nerves. Nitrogenous food such as 
is found in the lean of meats, hams, fish and good 
cereals should constitute largely the diet. Tea and 
coffee are decidedly harmful to anyone who has the 
slightest stomach disorder. 

NAUSEA RELIEF. 

In cases of violent nausea, when all remedies have 
failed, the skin of a perfectly fresh egg is an almost 
immediate relief. It can be given with milk or water 
and should be rolled up into as small a dose as pos- 
sible. 

TO TAKE CASTOR OIL. 

Take an orange and squeeze about half the juice in 
a glass ; put in your castor oil on this ; squeeze the re- 
mainder of the juice on top, but do not stir, and swal- 
low, and you will not taste the oil. 

RETAIN OIL IN WINTERGREEN. 

When applying oil of wintergreen locally to a 
rheumatic joint, if a piece of smooth, unbroken tinfoil 
be laid upon the outside of the saturated lint and then 
bandaged, the oil will be retained in place for twelve 
hours or more, whereas oiled silk is attacked and 
rendered useless, and if rubber is used the oil of win- 
tergreen will collect upon the surface of the rubber 
and the lint become dry. 



202 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

Chloroform liniment, which attacks both oiled silk 
and rubber, may be applied successfully in the above 
manner. 

HOW TO TAKE OILS. 

A few drops of lemon or vinegar put into the spoon 
before pouring into castor oil, olive oil, or codliver oil 
will prevent it from sticking to the spoon and will also 
destroy that disagreeable flavor which makes each of 
these so hard to take. 

One tablespoonful of olive oil after each meal will 
increase the flesh. 

Face, neck and hands are made glowing and soft 
by being massaged with olive oil, after which rub the 
skin well with a piece of cloth. 

Massaging the scalp with olive oil will promote the 
strength of the hair and also keep it glossy (not more 
than six or eight drops being used at one time). 

For aching eyes just barely touch the ball of the eye 
with olive oil. This will greatly relieve them. 

Eyebrows are greatly improved by being brushed 
with olive oil. (Use a small toothbrush and do not 
irritate.) 

Brittle finger nails occasionally dipped in warm olive 
oil will be greatly benefited. 

RELIEVE PAIN. 

Take five cents' worth of beeswax and equal parts 
of mutton tallow, melted together in a pie pan; then 
take a coarse piece of new domestic cotton, lay cloth 
in pan of melted wax and tallow until the cloth is 
thoroughly saturated; apply as hot as possible to the 
aflflicted part. Same cloth can be used a number of 
times by reheating the cloth in oven or on top of 
radiator. 

SUMAC POULTICE. 

Take the inner bark of the root of sumac (the kind 
with real sour berries), scrape it fine, put it into sweet 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 203 

milk, boil, and thicken with flour; spread on cloth and 
place over sore. 

ABOUT PALE EARS. 

Should the ears be pale in color and of that waxlike 
appearance which betokens ill health, bathe them fre- 
quently with warm water and apply a good skin food. 
No base metals should be worn in the ears, and no 
gold that is not at least 18 karats fine. Just at present 
the fashion of wearing rings in the ears holds a 
shadowy reign, but they are rarely worn by people 
who consider good form. 

The few who continue to adopt and indorse the cus- 
tom should allow the doctor to pierce the ears as far 
as possiblQ to see the healing, since serious cancers 
and tumors have resulted from the bungling work of 
amateurs in this line. 

CAUSE OF RED NOSES. 

A red nose may result from weakened circulation, 
which should be restored, or from some dyspeptic 
trouble, which should be overcome, or from corsets, 
boots or other garments which are too tight and thus 
interfere with the circulation, or it may come from 
indiscriminate eating or drinking, or from erysipelatous 
tendency. 

AVOIDING SEASICKNESS. 

A physician says that he knows of many persons 
who have taken sea voyages and avoided the usual 
seasickness by eating freely of salt mackerel, dried salt 
fish or dried beef. One of the greatest human com- 
forts of the voyage, known as the thin-blooded 
creature, always cold on a steamer, is to have flannel 
foot warmers, also a blanket kimona to put on over 
the night clothes at night, when cold is so noticeable. 
Those who are not seasick are often sick from the cold. 



204 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

FRENCH DRY SHAMPOO. 

Ladies will find this method of cleaning the hair 
both easy and useful after riding in an auto or on cars 
on a dusty day: 

Take a brush having bristles far apart ; brush it full 
of absorbent cotton and then brush the hair; the cot- 
ton will not come off the brush in the hair, but will 
push back in the brush, taking dust and oil from the 
hair. As soon as the cotton is soiled, fill the brush 
again and continue brushing until the hair is clean. 
You will be surprised to see the dirt which is removed. 

SHAMPOOING DRY HAIR. 

In washing hair that is naturally dry, and possibly 
harsh and brittle, avoid the use of ammonia or borax, 
unless in small quantities; above all, avoid alcohol. 
Alcohol will soon whiten the hair if used too frequent- 
ly, and also leaves a most unpleasant odor to the hair. 

SICK HEADACHE. 

One-half cup black coffee containing a tablespoonful 
of lemon juice will often cure a sick headache. 

FOR SLEEPLESSNESS. 

If you are troubled with insomnia, bathe feet for 
about ten minutes in water as hot as possible just be- 
fore retiring. This will draw the blood from the tired 
brain. Dread and apprehensions vanish, and you will 
enjoy a good night's rest. 

SLIPPERY ELM TEA. 

Pour one cupful of boiling water over one teaspoon- 
ful of elm bark. When cold, strain and add lemon 
juice and sugar to taste. Good in case of inflammation 
of the mucous membrane of the throat. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 205 

COOLING THE SICK ROOM. 

In the cool of the morning cut small branches of a 
tree, preferably maple; fasten over screens at open 
windows and sprinkle with cold water with a whisk- 
broom, repeating often during the day. The air, com- 
ing through the wet leaves, becomes cooled. This is a 
fine thing when there are no trees near the house. 

SODA CURE. 

This simple rule has cured rheumatic troubles of 
long standing. Be careful to follow directions : 

Dissolve one-half teaspoonful of cooking soda (the 
best) in one-half cupful of water ; nearly hot is better. 
Take three times a day, one-half hour before eating, 
for three consecutive days ; then skip three days, then 
take it three days, and so on for six weeks or more, ac- 
cording to the severity of the case. The soda is for 
excess of acid in the system, the cause of many of our 
ailments. 

TO STEAM OUT SPLINTERS. 

When a splinter has been driven into the hand it 
can be extracted by steaming. Fill a Avide-mouthed 
bottle nearly full of hot water, place the injured part 
over the mouth and press slightly. The action thus 
produced will draw the flesh down and in a minute or 
two the steam will extract the splinter, also the in- 
flammation. 

STRAWS MAY BE USED TO GIVE LIQUID 
FOOD 

to sick people whenever there is no glass feeding-tube 
at hand. They will be found a great help, especially 
in severe illness, where the patient cannot be moved. 
A bundle of straws, such as are used at soda fountains, 
may be bought for a small price. Glass tubes are easily 
broken and are not readily replaced. 



206 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

FOR TIRED EYES. 

Nothing is more restful to weary, throbbing eyes 
than a blindfold at bedtime, best made of an old black 
silk or lisle stocking. This is not a fancy, but a scien- 
tific fact, due to the perfect rest that absolute dark- 
ness insures to the sensitive nerves. If desired the 
band may be extended over the forehead, aiding great- 
ly to free the brow from furrows. This, with the faith- 
ful use of hot water for the eyes, ought to relieve the 
optician of much of his work. 

TOAST WATER FOR BABY. 

When baby is teething and has bowel trouble, toast 
a slice of bread brown, put in a bowl, and cover with 
boiling water. Let cool and give it to him. This is 
nourishing and checking also. 

SICK ROOM NOTES. 

Sponges should be washed in warm water in which 
a small quantity of tartaric acid has been dissolved. 
This will keep them soft and of good color. Take care 
not to use too much tartaric acid, or it will spoil the 
sponge. 

The best kind of flannel for a fomentation is a piece 
of soft old blanket, old flannel answering better than 
new. Remember to always dry the patient's skin thor- 
oughly after removing one fomentation and before put- 
ting on another. 

SIMPLE COLD REMEDY. 

Have a druggist mix a small quantity of menthol 
into 5 cents' worth of white vaseline ; apply a bit into 
each nostril, one at a time. Close the mouth and the 
free nostril lightly. Breathe deeply until the efifect is 
felt through the head and throat ; repeat in a few mo- 
ments through the other nostril. Relief will come at 
once. 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 207 

TEN RULES FOR BABY. 

1. Keep certified milk covered and cold in a window 
where the air blows or in a pan of cold water. 

2. Keep bottles, bowls, spoons and nipples clean by 
scalding before using. 

3. Keep rubber nipples in a glass of borax or boracic 
acid water. Clean after each time used. 

4. Add only cold boiled water or cold gruels to milk. 
Warm each bottle as needed. Test heat on the back 
of hand. 

5. Feed at regular hours. 

6. Give baby a drink of cold boiled water twice a 
day. 

7. Keep baby out of doors two hours each day and 
in fresh air and sunshine indoors. 

8. Do not let a baby suck a rubber comfort nor its 
thumb. 

9. Let baby sleep in its own bed. 

10. Bathe baby daily. Tepid water is better than 
hot. 

POISON HINTS. 

To prevent accidents with bottles containing poison, 
buy a dozen tiny bells and every time a bottle of poison 
is brought into the house, tie a bell to the neck of the 
bottle. Even in the dark the bell will tinkle its 
warning. 

That a teaspoonful of ground mustard in a cupful 
of warm water is a prompt and reliable emetic and 
should be resorted to in case of poisoning. 

WHEN FOOT IS INJURED. 

When one's foot is slightly injured and the bed 
clothes add to the discomfort, a small hatbox placed 
in the bed is found useful. The foot can be slipped into 
it and the box supports the weight of the covers. 



208 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

USES FOR PEROXIDE. 

A 25-cent bottle of peroxide of hydrogen kept con- 
stantly upon our medicine shelf saves us many dollars 
yearly. A gargle of one part hydrogen to two parts 
water, used at the first indication of swollen tonsils, 
invariably breaks up attacks of tonsilitis, and is said to 
be equally effective — although of this I have not per- 
sonal knowledge — in checking diphtheria in an early 
stage. 

Gargle each mouthful three times before ejecting, 
and repeat hourly until the foamy condition when 
ejected (evidencing germ life) disappears. 

In preventing blood poisoning from festering sores, 
or from wounds made by rusty nails, etc., it is invalu- 
able. 

Cleanse the affected part with hydrogen until it 
ceases to foam when applied, anoint with any preferred 
healing salve, and bandage. Repeat several times 
daily, as the case seems to require, giving each day 
(when the trouble is from festering sores), one tea- 
spoonful sulphur mixed with molasses to purify the 
blood, with a mild cathartic every alternate day to 
remove the waste matter from the system. 

CURE FOR CROUP. 

One teaspoonful of vaseline given internally about 
twice a day. 

COLD IN HEAD. 

For cold in the head, nothing is better than pow- 
dered borax, sniffed up the nostrils. 

CROUP CURE. 

A cure for croup: Get a 5-cent package of Scotch 
snuff and mix it with enough goose grease to make a 
salve. At night spread on the throat and chest with 



1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 209 

a knife and then warm a flannel and put it on the chest, 
and the child will not cough. 

USES OF BRAN WATER. 

Few housekeepers know the value of bran water in 
the household. Its uses are manifold and its cost but 
a trifle. As an effectual and harmless dirt remover it 
cannot be surpassed. In preparing it for use, place in 
a cloth bag some bran, upon which pour boiling water ; 
let stand for several minutes ; squeeze the bag out and 
remove, when the water is ready for use. 

In washing woodwork, be it hardwood or painted, 
it will be found invaluable. The dirt is quickly re- 
moved and the original finish of the wood is retained. 

For washing printed fabrics it has no equal, for it 
will not injure the most delicate colors. 

If one would use bran water when washing the hair, 
she would find it not only cleanses the scalp thor- 
oughly, but also imparts to the hair that beautiful lus- 
ter so much desired. 

Another important consideration is that the water 
does not injure the hands, like so many cleansing prep- 
arations ; on the contrary, it has long been known that 
bran is an excellent skin whitener and beneficial when 
used in the bath. 

Lastly, it will cure chronic constipation, by drinking 
anywhere from three to five cups of bran water at 
intervals before breakfast. A few drops of lemon juice 
make it more palatable to some people. For this pur- 
pose it is well to soak the bran over night in a covered 
receptacle and strain in the morning. 

FOR SLEEPLESSNESS. 

To those who suffer from sleeplessness : Repeat the 
first two verses of psalm 127 : Except the Lord build 
the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the 



210 1001 HOUSEHOLD HINTS 

Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat 
the bread of sorrows; for so he giveth his beloved 
sleep. Repeat slowly and thoughtfully. 



f^r% 2Q'mQ 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 
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